Those who are in the need of a sleep aid may want to try and watch a replay of the Atlético Madrid/Levante match. It’s difficult to imagine that a more boring first 60 or 70 minutes could ever be played on a football pitch. Neither team really looked like they deserved to get anything out of it.
I might sound a bit cynical, though. Going into the match, I didn’t really see Atlético getting anything out of it. Levante certainly aren’t known for their wonderful, free-flowing style of play. It takes a special kind of antagonizing, plodding style to earn the ire/praise of Jose Mourinho. Atlético was coming into the match on a horrific run of form and there were questions marks being asked about almost every facet of the squad.
The natives were getting restless in the Calderón. It was a distressing scene to see how empty the stadium was during the match. And the supporters who were in attendance were heard to be chanting the name of Luis Aragonés. Aragonés is the former Atlético player and manager who many are speculating to replace current manager Gregorio Manzano. Many were of the opinion that Atleti’s results in matches against Levante and Real Madrid. So really, it depended on how the Levante match went that would go a long way in determining how much time Manzano had as manager. Looking at the recent results in the Madrid derby, Atleti will be lucky to not embarrass themselves completely. Everything was set up to provide another Rojiblanco disappointment.
If there’s anything this season has shown, it’s that nothing will ever go as expected. To make a long story short, Atlético defeated Levante 3-2 in what might have been Atleti’s best match of the season.
As I said above, the first 60 minutes of the match were completely uneventful and might have been some of the most boring football I have seen. Although, Atlético had a very strong penalty shout in the first half when Adrián was brought down in the box. Instead, Adrián was giving a yellow for diving. On viewing the replay, it was pretty obviously a horrible decision. When Salvio missed in the 59th minute, it certainly seemed it would be another match Atlético would look back on and regret missed opportunities. Then a funny thing happened: The team actually showed some fight.
Pizzi, a halftime substitution found the back of the net, and the floodgates opened. Atlético quickly gave up an equalizer when an unmarked Xavi Torres had an open shot on goal. He was answered back by Adrián only two minutes later after a phenomenal cross from Arda Turan. Diego made it 3-1 after scoring a goal that was clearly offside. Levante pegged one back, but it was too late. It was three much-needed points for Atlético Madrid.
I, among many others, have been fooled by Atlético Madrid this season, but this could be a real turning point for the squad. Of course, a matchup with big, bad Real Madrid looms on Saturday, but I don’t really believe that any rational Atleti supporter could expect to get anything from that match.
The Levante match could be a turning point because for once, the squad showed fight and determination. At times, the players have just looked really lethargic, as if they couldn’t care less about the result. Levante is the exact wrong kind of squad you want to face if you’re not up for it. In order to really break them down, you have to be on top of your game. While Atleti didn’t look great the entire match, the final 30 minutes showed me more than has almost every week of the season.
Jose Antonio Reyes also showed some good signs when he came on as a substitute in the 64th minute. The supporters could be heard chanting his name as well. His place in the squad has come under question with Manzano keeping him out of the lineup for the past couple of matches. The reason made public was because of a sickness Reyes was carrying, but it was obvious that he and Manzano were at odds with one another. Reyes has struggled for much of the season, but if he can start to get on a good run of form, then maybe Atlético can find the consistency they have so sorely lacked this season.
Even Manzano seemed to grasp the gravity of the result. He has often kept the same demeanor on the touchline no matter the score, but after Pizzi’s goal, even he was seen to be celebrating. It was quite a surprising sight to see the robotic Spaniard actually showing emotion.
It wasn’t a completely dominating performance. The team did show the lack of finishing that has plagued them all season long. There was also some disorganization at the back which led to Torres’ goal. At the beginning of the second half, it took a couple of great plays by Thibaut Courtois to keep Levante off the board.
Either way, it’s hard to imagine Atlético going into the Madrid derby with a better result. Manzano looks to have earned himself at least a couple more weeks, but then again, who really knows.
Falcaometer (as of November 22, 2011)
This week: 7The Rojiblancos climbed back up to 9th in the table and showed a real positive performance in the last 30 minutes against Levante. It's hard to expect more of the same against Real Madrid on Saturday. Barring an absolute catastrophe, though, the Falcaometer will remain steady through the weekend. The Europa League match against Celtic on November 30 will be a much better indicator of whether or not Atleti has found a consistently good run of form.
You can follow me on Twitter
@TheKuytchPotatoOr check out The Kuytch Potato Podcast on
iTunes.
World Football Daily
