Atletico Madrid have taken a 1-1 scoreline into half time against Levante to remain on course for the point that they need to secure Champions League football next season.

Mario Mandzukic was given the nod up front by manager Diego Simeone, and he had half a chance to put the visitors ahead early on when picked out by Juanfran, but his header ended up straight in the hands of Diego Marino.

The Levante keeper was alert once more soon after the deny the same player, who looked to turn Guilherme Siqueira's cross home, but Marino was equal to it before getting back to his feet to deny Arda Turan's follow-up attempt.

If not for a fine challenge from Juanfran, Kalu Uche would have given Levante the breakthrough 22 minutes in, but it did not appear to matter when David Barral converted from close range following Ivan Lopez's low cross into the box.

Former Wigan Athletic defender Ivan Ramis then denied Atleti top scorer Antoine Griezmann from levelling things up with a brave block, but Siqueira volleyed home during the next attack to make it 1-1 at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia.