La Liga blog: Inside the miracle of Levante
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Wednesday is La Liga day, and here's www.spanishfootball.info 's David Cartlidge with his take on the week's big issues in Spain.
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A few weeks back I wrote in this column on how Levante’s “ugly, poor and bad footballers” had managed to surprise the glittering, almighty Real Madrid . Few thought they would do such a thing and even fewer thought Levante would be able to keep it up and be where they are now. The side's victory over Malaga on Sunday evening made those who hadn’t already taken note of them sit up pensively.
The team from the city of Valencia, in the shadow of their more successful cross town cousins, have managed to maintain the momentum and magic to such a degree they will go into the next round of fixtures in second place, level on points with FC Barcelona and with only goal difference separating them.
It’s an incredible tale of a team who, before they were promoted in 2010, had spent their time in La Liga before that with a squad on strike and a club in court. Under a shambolic former President in Pedro Villarroel, Levante were a laughing stock; pathetic signings, brown envelopes exchanged in seedy bars, idiotic media statements... the list goes on. The team are now sailing in a much sturdier boat upon calmer waters, with Owner Quico Catalan steering in a sensible, humble and admirable manner.
Catalan’s had the best interests of Levante at heart since he first became associated with the club, helping out the club during their administration process before eventually taking up the presidency. Of course, the dramatic reversal in fortunes isn't solely down to Catalan. As Levante typically show each and every week on the field, this is a unified effort from a multitude of sources and those working behind the scenes are enthusiastically helping the match forward. Catalan’s stringent financial planning has however allowed Levante a treat every now and then; their most expensive signing over the summer cost €150,000 - earth-shattering to them, a week's wages to Carlos Tevez.
In Juan Ignacio Martinez they have a hard working, dedicated, young and importantly for Levante, cheap coach. He’s spent several years in the lower echelons of Spanish football working to the best of his abilities at clubs with incredible restraints. Most recently he achieved success by taking the newly promoted Cartagena side to a 5th place finish, before becoming their longest serving Coach.
Martinez took over at Levante after Luis Garcia was lured away after achieving a 14th place finish last season. Martinez is not only steadying things, but also progressing them. The efforts on the pitch last term were based on Garcia’s refined psychological approach that allowed the players to have the mental upper hand when on the field while also playing football in a manner which although not pretty, was efficient.
Martinez has retained the mental aspect of the game but also allowed his players to utilize their abilities on the ball to a higher degree. Rather than playing a more direct game, Levante now hold on to the ball more often, use possession better and play more aggressively in the final third. This is combined with qualities retained from Garcia's tenure: the high pressing, closing down of ‘key’ opponents, strong running and organisational skills when behind the ball. Players like Sergio Ballesteros and Javi Venta marshal the backline, midfielder Vicente Iborra is strong, athletic and holding his own (and more so) against bigger names, while Arouna Kone is doing everything a lone front man should do.
All this came to a head with the victory over Malaga, one of Europe’s biggest spenders over the summer following Qatari investment. A Levante side with an average age of 31 years and 358 days ran in a convincing 3-0 victory. That they did it with that team, against such odds and, most importantly, in front of their home fans made it an incredibly special moment.
Make no doubt about it: this is a fairy tale story. I for one, am hoping for a happy ending.
Levante XI vs. Malaga: Munua (33); Venta (35),Nano (31),Juanfran (35),Ballesteros (36); Juanlu(31),Valdo (30),Iborra (23),Farinós (33),Barkero (32); Kone (27)
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Follow David Cartlidge on Twitter @Nerdyyy and at www.spanishfootball.info
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