Atletico Madrid’s preparation for Tuesday evening’s Champions League spherical of 16 first-leg tie towards Chelsea completed poorly, with Diego Simeone’s aspect struggling their first dwelling lack of the season in La Liga towards Levante.
And Simeone might have suffered a good larger blow than the defeat, with central defender Jose Maria Gimenez limping out of motion.
The defender was anticipated to overlook the tie towards Chelsea, however made a shock return to the beginning line up for Atleti’s dwelling conflict towards Levante.
Nevertheless, he was pressured off shortly after half-time with what appeared like a knock to his ankle.
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Atletico have been already 1-0 down at this stage, with Luis Morales opening the scoring through a deflected strike after half-hour.
Simeone’s aspect laid siege to the Levante objective, notching 28 pictures however have been unable to interrupt down some cussed defending and goalkeeping from Dani Cardenas.
Luis Suarez additionally hit the woodwork with a free-kick from 30 yards as Atletico made a determined try to rescue some extent.
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And within the ultimate minute of stoppage time, keeper Jan Oblak went up for a nook that Levante cleared, with Jorge de Frutos knocking the ball into an empty internet from simply contained in the Atletico half to seal all three factors for the guests.
Gimenez’s damage is the newest blow for Atletico, with Belgian star Yannick Carrasco additionally a doubt for the conflict towards Chelsea.
Nevertheless, Thomas Lemar did return to motion for Simeone’s aspect on Saturday, changing Gimenez because the supervisor opted to go on the offensive within the second half.
