



"We had a good opportunity, but this is a long race," said Atletico defender Filipe Luis. "It's very difficult to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona."


Levante went ahead through Loukas Vyntra's 10th-minute header, and its staunch defence did enough to take a measure of vengeance for the 7-0 thrashing Barcelona dealt the team in the season opener.

Gerard Pique levelled for Barcelona in the 19th, but Levante defender Juanfran Garcia saved the visitors' two best chances in the second half.

"We were unlucky because we created scoring chances," Messi said. "We did everything possible to win."


Far from the side that Barcelona humiliated in August, Levante lived up to its reputation as one of the league's best defences by packing its area and largely limiting the visitors to long strikes that either crashed into bodies or sailed harmlessly wide.



Frustrating night for Barcelona

Messi, in his fourth game back after a long injury layoff, worked a one-two passing combination in close quarters with Cesc Fabregas to manufacture Barcelona's best chance in the 59th, but goalkeeper Keylor Navas saved Messi's shot. Garcia was well positioned to block Xavi's follow-up attempt, and three minutes later the centre back used his foot to turn away Messi's goal-bound strike.



"In our first meeting (with Barcelona) it felt like a tribute game to Neymar in his debut," Caparros said. "My team has changed a lot because you can't make a team in a day, not even in two or four months."

Atletico started brightly when David Villa rifled in a clearance by Sevilla goalkeeper Antonio "Beto" Bastos in the 18th at Vicente Calderon Stadium.

But Atletico didn't seriously threaten to extend its advantage and it was undone when defender Juanfran Torres pulled Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca down by his shirt in the area.


Sevilla finished with 10 men when Alberto Moreno was sent off with a straight red card for a low tackle in the 89th.

"The draw is a pity," Courtois said. "We knew Barcelona's result before the game. It's too bad. When you go up 1-0 you hope to keep a clean sheet and win the match. It's tough, but that's the way it is."

Uche's strike against lowly Almeria was his 12th league goal this season, tying him with Sociedad's Antoine Griezmann as the competition's third-leading scorers.

Villarreal provisionally moved into fourth place with its third straight victory. Athletic Bilbao can reclaim Spain's last Champions League spot when it plays Valladolid on Monday.