From the opening whistle, it appeared Atletico Madrid might seize their chance. Within just 90 seconds, Nico Gonzalez’s crisp header forced Levante’s keeper, Mat Ryan, into a sharp save, raising hopes of an early breakthrough. Yet, as the crowd’s cheers faded, so too did Atletico’s attacking verve. Kareem Tunde offered Levante’s quick response moments later, slicing wide from a tight angle, but these opening exchanges would ultimately be the highlight reel for much of the first half.
Despite energy on the pitch, fans’ excitement gradually shifted to frustration as chances ebbed away. Johnny Cardoso’s blocked attempt just before halftime rebounded to Gonzalez, who could only hack his shot into the side netting—a moment emblematic of Atletico’s night.
Stalemate woes: the struggle to break down Levante
Subheading: The second half promised intensity, with both sides eager to tip the balance, yet goal-scoring opportunities remained elusive. Karl Etta Eyong squandered a lightning-fast Levante counterattack in the 60th minute, firing straight into Jan Oblak’s gloves—an all-too-familiar comfort for the Atletico stopper. Gonzalez continued to threaten with a close-range effort that demanded another smart stop from Ryan, but the net remained stubbornly untouched.
The frustration was palpable. Julian Alvarez, once the spark in Atletico’s frontline, continued his barren run, dragging a shot wide (though he was already flagged offside). His header, later acrobatically tipped over the bar, captured the night’s exasperating theme: so near, yet so far.
Numbers tell the story: Atletico’s attacking curse
Subheading: The statistics underline what Atletico fans know all too well: this team is struggling in the final third.
Consider these numbers:
- Atletico managed just 0.9 expected goals (xG) from their 10 attempts—a telling indicator of their bluntness in attack.
- Only four of those shots hit the target.
- Levante fared even less threateningly, with 0.37 xG from their own 10 shots.
- Nico Gonzalez led the offensive charge, registering a game-high four shots and making seven touches in the opposition’s box, while also creating two chances for teammates.
A particularly striking fact: Julian Alvarez is now goalless in 11 LaLiga appearances—the longest drought of his European club career since 2022, surpassing his previous ten-game dry spell with Manchester City in early 2024. For a player signed to turn draws into victories, that statistic looms large.
Frustration under Simeone: what next for Atleti?
Subheading: Throughout his tenure, Diego Simeone has been lauded for transforming Atletico Madrid into defensive juggernauts; yet, matches like this underline a new challenge—unlocking stubborn opposition when the stakes are high.
This 0-0 with Levante marks another in a string of frustrating results that have slowed Atletico’s title chase. The lack of composure and killer instinct in front of goal has become a pressing issue.
- Are Atleti’s attackers now feeling the pressure?
- Is this a tactical problem or simply a crisis of confidence?
As the LaLiga 2025/26 season ramps up, the coming weeks will reveal whether Simeone can spark a turnaround or whether this draw signals deeper issues to address. For fans and neutrals alike, this match leaves a lingering question mark above Atletico Madrid’s campaign. The clash with Levante was more than just a missed chance in the standings—it was a microcosm of the team’s broader struggles and unfulfilled promise.