Levante are flying high in Spain’s Segunda just a season after suffering relegation. The Frogs could gain promotion back to La Liga after just one season away. First-year manager Javier Calleja has done well with the Segunda team.
On Wednesday, Levante will take a break from their Segunda efforts to host La Liga side Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey round of 16. Levante are aiming for an upset against an Atletico team that is once again out of form.
We start preparing Levante-Atleti ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ubjElVMC5J— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 16, 2023
We start preparing Levante-Atleti ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ubjElVMC5J
Atletico are winless in back-to-back games in La Liga. Los Rojiblancos suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Barcelona before drawing 1-1 away to Almeria last weekend.
Diego Simeone could leave Atletico in the summer as per reports in January from Spanish football news outlets.
The manager is feeling the pressure at the club and is one of the highest-paid managers in the world. He may need a good run in the Copa del Rey after subpar results this season in Europe.
Levante and Atletico met as recently as last season in La Liga. Despite Levante being relegated at the end of the season, they picked up four points from Atletico Madrid in two games. The Frogs go into the match on Wednesday unbeaten in four straight games versus Atletico.
Atletico will benefit from Levante’s strong form and position in the Segunda. It is unlikely manager Javier Calleja will want to risk too many of his top players in the cup.
Promotion back to La Liga is Levante’s priority and they are currently third in the league and two points off automatic promotion.
Simeone only has one player on the injury list going into the game. Yannick Carrasco is a doubt due to a muscle injury. Calleja could be without defender Roger Ibanez who is a doubt with a thigh strain.
Levante are led in goals by forward Mohamed Bouldini with five this season. Calleja will likely use a 4-3-3 attacking formation with Bouldini leading the line. The striker scored at the weekend against Granada in a 3-1 win.
Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann lead Atletico in goals with six apiece. With Atletico failing to reach the round of 16 in the Champions League, Simeone is likely to take the Copa del Rey seriously and play a strong squad.
Los Rojiblancos should post a win, with Levante providing them with a slight scare on the night. Atletico should edge Levante with a 1-0 victory away from home.