Atlético arrive in Valencia with their two midfield regulars, Koke and Johnny Cardoso, out, and I think the odd part is that Levante's leaky record is exactly the kind that midfield change could make worse or better. Levante have scored 16 and conceded 19 in ten league games, with a 3-3 against Sevilla and a 3-1 over Athletic in the last two weeks at home. So my question: does a reshuffled Atlético midfield, probably with Hjulmand stepping in, control a game that Levante tend to turn into a scoring exchange?
Atlético first. Our standings have them second on 25 points, 8 conceded in 10, five straight league wins on the board. Telemadrid (EFE) reports Koke and Cardoso are still out with muscle injuries, and El Desmarque says the gap gives Hjulmand a chance to start, while Cuti Romero is back in the squad but might begin on the bench to reach full fitness. Simeone's own line, per Flashscore, is that they want to take the game to where they can hurt the opponent. That reads as an intent to stretch Levante, not sit on a lead.
Levante's side. They have just 10 points and only two wins, but the games are rarely dull: 1-2 at Real Sociedad last time out, 1-1 at Deportivo, 3-3 with Sevilla. According to Plaza Deportiva (EFE), Luis Castro said the XI will differ from the one at Anoeta and that Enzo Bardeli is the only injury absence; COPE has him saying Dela is back at full fitness. Roger Brugué, who went off at half-time at Anoeta, is still unconfirmed in some reports.
What I'd watch is the first half hour. If Atlético's midfield pair can't keep the ball away from Levante's wide players, a leaky home side still gets chances, but if Hjulmand holds the middle, Levante's thin points haul looks more like a defensive problem than a coincidence. Curious how others see the missing Koke: a loss of control, or just a different shape?
