24.02.2008 10:51
Bottom team visits Nou Camp
Roger Bogunyà
To mention Levante is to talk about an unstable and wounded team whose only glimmer of hope has been their good results over the last few weeks.
But their salvation from relegation seems a tall order at the moment, with only 16 points they are
10 points adrift from the safety zone. The 2007/08 season has been a black one for Levante. After
seven games with only one point, they sacked coach Abel Resino and appointed Giani De Biasi. The
Italian needed 10 games to find the formula, and to convince his players that they can stay up.
Troubles
The club’s serious economic troubles have worsened the situation, with key players like
Storari, Sàvio, Bruno, Riganó and Viqueira leaving during the winter transfer window. The remaining
players aren’t on full salary, and the club’s economic situation is more talked about
than its football. Obviously, the team hasn’t been able to fully focus on the job in hand,
and with only 14 games left, salvation looks tricky
Worst league goal record
De Biasi’s team can’t rely on a good defence and a strong attack. They are
the team who have let in most goals during the league (1.75 per game), as well as the team who have
scored fewest (0.79 per game). What’s more, of their remaining 14 games, 8 are away ones,
including visits to Bernabeu, Vicente Calderón and Sánchez Pizjuán. Levante are also the team who
have picked up fewest points in away games: only 4 from a possible 44.
Things looking up
Things have been looking up recently for Levante fans. The team is looking more solid in
midfield, and have been able to pull back, like they did against Murcia (2-3) and Osasuna (2-1).
Getting better
The team is getting better, but they still lack aggression in certain moments. Levante are
the only team in the league yet to have a player sent off, which reflects a certain lack of tension
to their game, and they’ll need something more to get anything from the game in Nou Camp.