Comeback at the Calderon

The game started with a shock goal for the visitors with just 1 minute on the clock as Simeone’s men were caught cold. A good through ball split the Atletico defence finding its way between Juanfran and Godin in to the path of Ivanschitz who held of the challenge of the defence before finishing well past Courtois who could only get a hand on the ball but couldn’t keep it out.

Atleitco lacked the usual intensity in the first 10 minutes with an uncharacteristic start but they soon found their rhythm and forced the visitors on to the back foot with a string of corners testing the Levante defence who after their early opener seemed contend sitting deep and protecting their lead. A shout for a penalty was turned down after it seemed that Diego Costa had been pushed to the ground but the referee waved play on.

Atleti kept searching for the equaliser and it came on the half hour mark thanks to the head of Diego Godin. Good work on the right saw Juanfran work the ball on to his left foot and swing a dangerous ball in to the Levante area, the Uruguayan defender made a smart run in front of his man and got up well to guide the ball past the keeper to make it 1-1 and a deserved reward for the Atletico pressure.

Before the break Atletico continued to look for more goal and came close on a few occasions, namely when David Villa played the ball across the 6 yard box and Costa was inches away from directing it home. Just a few minutes later another chance arrived as Arda Turan did well on the left to find space to cross, his delivery was almost turned in by Villa but the Spanish international just couldn’t get the connection on the ball that would have given Simone side the lead going in to the interval.

If it was the visitor who came out flying at the start of the first half, it was the turn of the home side after the break. With Diego Simeone’s half time talk still fresh in the players mind Atleti were awarded a free kick midway in to the Levante half and it was Gabi who delivered the cross deep to the back post, Diego Costa had made a positive run that he timed to perfection where he arrived to put the ball in to the back of the net to make give his side the lead.

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Atletico Madrid were made to suffer as Levante wouldn’t throw in the towel and they equalised in the 56th minute through substitute Pedro Rios. It came from a rapid counter attack as Atletico had thrown men forward for a corner kick making it 2-2 with still over half an hour left to play.

Simeone’s men were not deterred and it was the manager who rang the changes as he looked for something different. Koke & Villa were replaced by Adrian & Raul Garcia, the Argentine manager showing his desire to get back in front and the substtution looked to be working a Atleti again tried to find a way through the Levante defence.

With time running out another testing ball was placed in to the area and it was right back Juanfran who arrive just in front of the Levante defender, the Atleti man was clipped and the referee made no hesitation pointing to thepenalty spot to give Atletico a golden opportunity to take the lead. With 15 minutes on the clock it was Diego Costa who picked up the ball and placed it on the spot, the Spanish-Brazilian forward made no mistake from 12 yards placing the ball to the keepers right to record his 23rd goal of the season.

The final 15 minutes were tense with Levante going for the equaliser whilst Atleti also had chances to extend their lead. In the 90th minute as the visitors were pilling on the pressure, Juanfran Garcia was sent off for Levante for his second yellow card of the game leaving his side with 10 men for the last few minutes. Simeone’s side took the 3 points with a well fought 3-2 win to finish 2013 with another victory and will go in to the new year as leaders of the Spanish Primera division.