Levante 0-2 Atletico Madrid: Simeone Matches Aragones' LaLiga Wins Record Before Bayern Visit

Atletico Madrid won 2-0 at Levante on Saturday for a seventh consecutive LaLiga victory. The result also put Diego Simeone level with Luis Aragones on 344 league wins as a head coach, the competition's all-time record. Alejandro Grimaldo and the coach's son, Giuliano Simeone, scored the goals at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia. Atletico are second, two points behind leaders Barcelona, going into a demanding week.

The match

Atletico had an early goal ruled out. Morten Hjulmand thought he had scored in the 16th minute, but VAR disallowed it for offside. The visitors went ahead in the 36th minute, when Grimaldo finished with his left foot after a Levante defensive error.

Giuliano Simeone made the game safe in the 62nd minute. Alex Baena played him through and he scored the second. Levante had chances to get back into it, and 365Scores' match data shows them with slightly more shots on target. Atletico held on comfortably to keep a clean sheet in front of 20,513 fans.

A record 344 wins

The win was Simeone's 344th in LaLiga. According to beIN Sports, his record at Atletico is 344 wins, 123 draws and 98 defeats from 565 league games. Aragones needed 756 matches to reach the same number, across several clubs, including seven spells in charge of Atletico.

Simeone said he wanted to share the milestone. "I don't feel like it is my own," the Argentine said. He thanked the club's CEO Miguel Angel Gil, chairman Enrique Cerezo, his staff and his players for their support.

The title race

Atletico went top for a few hours on Saturday. Barcelona then thrashed Alaves 6-1 later the same day and went back above them. Barcelona have 30 points, and Atletico have 28 from 11 matches with nine wins, one draw and one defeat. Atletico have conceded only eight goals in 11 league games. beIN Sports noted that their run of seven straight wins is the longest current streak in Europe's top five leagues.

Levante have 10 points and have now lost twice in a row.

Bayern, then Barcelona: Malaysia times

Atletico's next two games are both big ones. First they host Bayern Munich in the Champions League tonight, Tuesday 3 November. Kick-off is 9pm in Madrid, which is 4am on Wednesday 4 November in Malaysia.

On Sunday 8 November they welcome leaders Barcelona to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano at 9pm local time. That is 4am on Monday 9 November in Malaysia. A win in that game would give Simeone the LaLiga wins record on his own, and it would also take Atletico above Barcelona.

Key takeaways

• Atletico won 2-0 at Levante on 31 October through Grimaldo (36') and Giuliano Simeone (62'). Baena assisted the second goal.
• Diego Simeone now has 344 LaLiga wins, level with Luis Aragones' all-time record.
• Atletico are second on 28 points, two behind Barcelona, after seven straight league wins.
• Atletico host Bayern on Wednesday at 4am MYT, then Barcelona on Monday 9 November at 4am MYT.

FAQ

How many LaLiga wins does Diego Simeone have? Simeone has 344 LaLiga wins, all with Atletico Madrid, from 565 matches. That equals the record held by Luis Aragones, who reached 344 in 756 games.

What time is Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich in Malaysia? The Champions League match kicks off at 9pm Madrid time on Tuesday 3 November. That is 4am on Wednesday 4 November in Malaysia (MYT, UTC+8).

When do Atletico Madrid play Barcelona? Atletico host Barcelona on Sunday 8 November at 9pm local time, which is 4am on Monday 9 November in Malaysia.

Sources: beIN Sports, Football España, 365Scores, Nigfooty