Atlético de Madrid is preparing for a duel that, according to the press, has become a “nightmare” for the colchoneros: the match against Levante that will take place on Halloween weekend. With coach Simeone at the helm, the team has recorded only three wins in the last twelve games, and the visit to Valencia is shaping up to be an important challenge before the international commitments that follow.
The Madrid club's calendar shows that the next match will be against Levante, followed by two highly relevant matches: Bayern Munich at the Metropolitano, where the new Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane will play, and Barcelona, which arrives with the burden of having lost the Clásico against Real Madrid. Although media attention will focus on the two games in the stadium, Atlético's fans and coaching staff recognize the importance of the event in Valencia, where Levante is usually a difficult opponent.
Historically, Levante has been a difficult opponent for Atlético. Since Simeone took over, the team has won three wins, three losses and six draws in matches at the Ciutat de Valencia. On the last three occasions in the league, Levante managed a point each time. The colchoneros' last triumph in the city was in 2023, when they beat a Levante from the Second Division in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. In the league, the last meeting was in the 2019-20 season, when the teams tied.
Levante, which is two points away from relegation, has shown a solid performance at home, with only one defeat, which was against Barcelona. The team has achieved victories over Athletic and Betis, and a three-way draw against Sevilla, which indicates that it will not be an easy task for the rojiblancos.
Atlético, which has suffered defeats at key moments in its history – such as the 2-0 loss against Levante in the 2013-14 season, when the club was LaLiga champion and runner-up in the Champions League, and the 1-1 draw in the 2020-21 season, when the title was at stake – will have to face the challenge with caution. Levante, although in a risky position, has shown that it can cause problems for the colchoneros, especially on their own playing field.
With the visit to Levante on the horizon, Atlético de Madrid faces a match that could define its form before the most impactful matches of the season. The result of this match in Valencia will be crucial for the team's spirit and for the planning of the next matches at the Metropolitano.