Levante vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Atletico refocus on title push

Posted Saturday, May 03, 2014 by PA

Atletico Madrid's remarkable season is closing in on new heights with Diego Simeone's side within touching distance of the Primera Division title.

The Madrid club, buoyed by securing a place in the Champions League final after overcoming Chelsea, travel to Levante knowing that they have to win - although the title is theirs if both Barcelona and Real Madrid lose, Simeone is well aware that combination of results is hugely unlikely.

Atletico are four points ahead of Barcelona with three games left and six ahead of city neighbours Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.

The title race could still go all the way to the final day of the season - when Barca host Atletico.

Atletico's Brazilan full-back Filipe Luis said the side have taken pride from their battling performances.

He told Spanish television: "The team has shown it knows what it takes when the chips are down, and we have been that way throughout the season.

"We will try everything we can to beat Levante - it is the next match and so it is the most important one for now."

Atletico are chasing their first La Liga title since 1996 - when former Argentina international Simeone was a member of the team.

Striker Diego Costa is in the hunt for other awards - he has 27 league goals this season, equal to Lionel Messi and three behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

Their opponents Levante have little to play for except pride - they are mathematically safe from relegation but have not won a match since March.

Joaquin Caparros' side have Senegalese loan striker Baba Diawara in the squad again after injury while midfielder Simao Mate is available after paternity leave.