Atletico Madrid lost the chance to move into the LaLiga top-four after they were stunned 1-0 at home by bottom-placed Levante on Wednesday night.
The LaLiga defending champions have faltered through the season, and their title defense seems all but over as they sit fifth on 39 points, 15 off league leaders Real Madrid.
Gonzalo Melero scored the only goal of the match early in the second half, and it proved important as it settled a cagey affair in Madrid.
The visitors surprisingly enjoyed early possession as the hosts struggled to tick in the middle of the park.
Jorge De Frutos got the chance to open the scores midway through the first half when he sprung through on goal, but Jan Oblak made a fine save to deny him.
With both Luis Suárez and João Felix left out, Atleti failed to sparkle and struggled to create chances, going into the break with no single shot on target.
Thomas Lemar had the hosts’ best chance of the half in stoppage time, but he blazed his shot over the bar.
The visitors started the second half well and took a deserved lead 10 minutes into.
De Frutos’ perfectly weighted pass allowed Melero to strike first time, beating Oblak at the near post.
Levante continued pressing the hosts despite being in front, and not even the introduction of Suarez could help them salvage a point.
In the end, Levante held on to breath some life into their survival campaign, which looks highly unlikely.
