The mighty Granotes: Levante UD in perspective – La Liga Special
The start to current La Liga campaign has surprised everyone thus far. Real Betis were at the podium for five weeks and now they have given-up their spot to Levante UD. The Granotes have taken everyone by surprise and are enjoying their second year in the
top flight. They have elbowed Real Madrid and Barcelona to the perch of Spanish football and have been exciting to say the least.
Levante are joint leaders of La Liga at the moment as they brought down high flying Real Betis to the ground. This is their fourth straight victory and they deserve all the praise that is showered at them.
Left midfielder Juanlu Gomez was the star of the night as he sunk the visiting team to their second defeat of the season. For a club that started the season with the ambition to avoid relegation blushes, they are doing very well for themselves.
After the match, the midfielder was at hand to discuss his team’s performance. “This team stands out for its effort, commitment and humility,” http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Juanlu-c19854 said. “If I were to say that we’re going to be fighting for a spot in the Champions League, I’d be shooting
my team in the foot.”
Standing at the top would not have been possible had they not played out of their skins, and they should be happy with their achievements thus far. Levante stunned Spanish giants and title challengers Real Madrid 1-0 at Ciutat de Valencia stadium.
This was their first home win over Los Blancos in La Liga and they now stand a place above them at the moment. In return of their excellent return of form, they have been praised by Jose Mourinho in return.
“The team that deserves all the attention is Levante,” Mourinho said. “For being the smallest club and not having as much prestige as the rest, it has earned all the credit.”
While the capital club boasts of a budget of 666 million Dollars, and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 not far behind with 613 million, La Granotes have produced similar results on the pitch with a modest budget of 28 million Dollars. Coincidently, this is the smallest in La Liga.
While talking to reporters Levante’s sporting director, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-c23383 Salvador commented on the team ethic for their recent success. He said that they have a squad and technical staff which understand each other’s perspective.
“What Levante needs is hard work and hope,” said Salvador. He took over the reins of his current managerial position when it was relegated four seasons ago. It should not come as a surprise that financial woes were behind their departure from Spanish top
fight football. A situation that is evident in the country’s premier footballing league.
However, Coach Juan Ignacio Martinez is under no illusions regarding his ambitions for the club. He knows league safety come the end of May is of extreme importance and his http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 is to ensure that.
“We know what our role is in this league,” http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Martinez-c24468 said. “The fans should enjoy the moment, but we professionals in the locker room congratulate ourselves for having taken another little step [toward remaining in the first division].”
Levante have thrashed Espanyol and overcome Real Madrid in their path to their floated league standing. They will be faced with yet another test as high flying Malaga make their way to Ciutat de http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 after the international break. The dreams of the fans
may be squashed by the Andalusians but they should be content with their achievements thus far. .
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