Atletico Madrid Held In Goalless Draw At Levante

Atletico Madrid’s trip to Levante on January 31, 2026, was supposed to be a chance for Diego Simeone’s side to gain ground on the La Liga leaders. Instead, it turned into a night of frustration, missed opportunities, and worrying injuries as the match ended in a goalless draw that left Atletico seven points adrift of Barcelona at the summit.

From the opening whistle at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, it was clear both sides were determined, but neither could muster the cutting edge required to break the deadlock. Atletico, who have struggled on the road all season, found themselves once again unable to convert chances into goals, despite flashes of promise from Nico Gonzalez and a handful of late efforts that forced Levante’s Mathew Ryan into action.

The match’s most alarming moment came midway through the first half when Atletico striker Alexander Sorloth collided head-on with Levante defender Matias Moreno while contesting a corner in the 27th minute. Both players were immediately substituted, and Sorloth, who has been a key figure for the Rojiblancos with 10 goals across all competitions this season, was stretchered off and taken to a hospital in Valencia for further tests. Atletico later confirmed he suffered head trauma. Levante did not immediately provide an update on Moreno’s condition.

This unsettling incident cast a shadow over the rest of the contest, but the football pressed on. Early on, Atletico’s intent was clear. Just 90 seconds in, Nico Gonzalez forced Ryan into a sharp save with a powerful header. Gonzalez remained a constant threat, leading his side with four shots and seven touches in the opposition box, and creating two chances. Yet, as has been the story of the season, Atletico’s finishing deserted them at crucial moments.

Levante, sitting 19th in the table, were no pushovers. Karl Etta Eyong had a golden opportunity on the hour mark, only to fire straight at Jan Oblak. The Atletico keeper, who had just two routine saves to make all night, was named Man of the Match—a telling indictment of the lack of attacking quality on display. Robin Le Normand, stepping back into the starting lineup, delivered a composed defensive performance, helping to keep Levante’s best efforts at bay.

Despite the defensive solidity, Atletico’s offensive woes were on full display. Julian Alvarez, brought on for the injured Sorloth, continued his alarming goal drought, now stretching to 11 La Liga appearances without finding the net. Alvarez had a couple of chances—dragging a shot wide and seeing a header acrobatically tipped over by Ryan—but the breakthrough never came. According to the data, Atletico finished with just 0.9 expected goals (xG) from 10 attempts, with four on target, while Levante managed 0.37 xG from an equal number of shots.

The midfield battle was scrappy and, at times, disjointed. Pablo Barrios, usually so influential, struggled to impose himself and was forced off with a suspected injury in the second half—another concern for Simeone ahead of a crucial midweek fixture. Johnny Cardoso was industrious, leading all players in passes and touches, but struggled to inject the creativity that Atletico so desperately needed. Marcos Llorente, deployed in a more advanced right-wing role, was largely ineffective, with just one dribble and one touch in the box before being substituted.

The match saw a flurry of substitutions as both managers searched for answers. For Atletico, Dávid Hancko replaced Clément Lenglet, who had picked up a yellow card and looked shaky at the back. Koke, the veteran captain, tried to spark his teammates after coming on for Barrios, but even his energy couldn’t turn the tide. Summer signing Álex Baena was introduced with hopes of injecting urgency, but his impact was minimal, managing just one shot and creating a single chance in his half-hour cameo. Jano Monserrate, a young attacking option, was also given minutes but was not expected to be the difference-maker in such a tense affair.

Levante, for their part, had their own moments. Adrián de la Fuente’s glancing header in the dying minutes forced a stretching save from Oblak, while Ugo Raghouber and Paco Cortés both saw efforts blocked or miss the target. The home side’s resilience was evident, and their ability to frustrate Atletico’s attack will give them hope as they battle to avoid relegation.

The referee’s notebook got plenty of use, with yellow cards shown to Clément Lenglet and Jon Olasagasti for bad fouls, and a series of free kicks and set pieces breaking up the rhythm of the game. The stop-start nature suited Levante, who were content to slow things down and protect their clean sheet.

As the final whistle blew after three minutes of added time, the sense of disappointment was palpable on the Atletico bench. Simeone’s men had once again failed to seize the initiative away from home, a recurring theme that has defined their campaign. The draw keeps them third in La Liga, their hopes of catching Barcelona fading with each missed opportunity. Next up, they face Club Brugge in a Champions League playoff—a match that will demand a far more clinical edge if they are to progress in Europe.

For Simeone, the challenge is clear: reignite an attack that has gone cold and address the mounting injury concerns. The absence of Sorloth, pending his recovery from head trauma, could not come at a worse time. As the manager himself recently noted, “Winning the championship is the best way to turn boos into applause.” But to do that, Atletico must rediscover the form and firepower that made them contenders in the first place.

Levante, meanwhile, will take heart from a hard-fought point against one of Spain’s giants. Their defensive discipline and determination were on full display, offering a glimmer of hope in their battle for survival. The home fans, though denied a famous victory, left the stadium with heads held high after witnessing their team hold Atletico at bay.

With the La Liga season entering its decisive phase, both teams have plenty to ponder. For Atletico, the margin for error is shrinking. For Levante, every point counts. The race continues, and the drama is far from over.