It’s Mad dash for the title
ATLETICO SLIP UP AS REAL CLOSE IN
Atletico Madrid 0 Levante
2 ATLETICO MADRID’S Mario Hermoso is refusing to press the panic button despite his side’s latest wobble.
The La Liga leaders – who face Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday – have won just once from their last four league games after this home loss.
Jose Luis Morales gave Levante the lead with a deflected strike that deceived keeper Jan Oblak.
And Jorge de Frutos fired into an empty net to score in injury time after Oblak had committed himself forward for a corner to complete the smash-and-grab.
Despite a first league defeat since December, draws have seen their title rivals make up ground. Defender Hermoso said: “We had so many attempts on goal but weren’t able to score.
“And if you don’t score and keep letting them in, you’ll be in trouble.
“But I’m sure we’ll start scoring soon – we’re the same team that got to this stage. This is a marathon not a sprint.”
Atletico could not beat Levante keeper Daniel
Cardenas, who made a series of saves yesterday.
Luis Suarez hit the post while Angel Correa’s goal was ruled out following a foul by Suarez. Joao Felix wasted two chances while Suarez, Marcos Llorente and Renan
Lodi also threatened as Atletico had a total of 28 shots on goal. But Levante, who had held Diego Simeone’s men to a 1-1 draw just 72 hours earlier, claimed their first ever away league win over Atletico in 17 attempts.
City rivals Real Madrid took full advantage as they squeezed past stuggling Real Valladolid last night.
A 65th-minute header from Casemiro (left) proved the difference as Real moved to within three points of their city rivals.
And although Real have played two games more, they are now breathing down the necks of stuttering Atletico.
Scottish Round-Up
STEVEN GERRARD is not losing sleep over RANGERS’ growing injury list at a crunch stage of the season.
Skipper James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe are facing a spell on the sidelines as Gers’ treatment table grows ahead of today’s clash with DUNDEE UNITED.
Rangers hold a 15-point lead at the summit over CELTIC and Gerrard insisted his squad is in good shape heading in to a crucial spell – bidding to wrap up the Premiership title and progress in Europe.
The Light Blues boss said: “I’m not concerned. We’ve shown the strength in depth we’ve got here. Whoever comes in will do a good job.”
Celtic boss Neil Lennon says there is no chance of surrendering the title to Rangers without a fight.
It looks a forgone conclusion but Lennon, who takes his side to
ROSS COUNTY tonight, said: “We’ve played pretty well recently. And we’re just looking forward to the games now and keeping that winning form and performance going between now and the end of the season.”
Derek McInnes was left breathing a huge sigh of relief as his ABERDEEN side banished their six-game goal drought.
Callum Hendry’s firsthalf winner ended their barren run to condemn KILMARNOCK to a clubrecord eighth-successive league defeat.
Killie remain level with second-bottom
HAMILTON and a point clear of Ross County, who have two matches in hand.
ST JOHNSTONE warmed-up for the League Cup final by brushing aside MOTHERWELL with a 3-0 win. Ahead of their Hampden showdown with LIVINGSTON, Guy Melamed scored twice.
Livingston stay fifth after being held to a 1-1 draw with ST MIRREN.