With the smallest budget in Spain’s La Liga, Levante UD were expected to be battling to avoid relegation this season. Instead, a novice coach and the league’s oldest back four have led the Spanish minnows to the top of the league standings for the first time in their 102-year history, leaving Real Madrid and Barcelona in their wake.
Levante’s first-year coach Juan Ignacio Martinez says he is as shocked as anyone at his team’s unexpected success.
“What this team is achieving is impossible. Being leader is something very special for a team like Levante, but this is just one more step. We can’t get over confident,” said Martinez, who had never coached in the top division before joining Levante this summer.
Photo: AFP
While Levante’s budget of 21 million euros (US$28 million) is dwarfed by the 500 million euros (US$666 million) enjoyed by Real Madrid, their 3-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday lifted them one-point ahead of Jose Mourinho’s team and two points clear of defending champions Barcelona.
“It is a miracle that a team like Levante is leader with the lowest budget in the first division,” forward Juanlu Gomez said. “With what one player of Barcelona or Real Madrid makes you could pay the salaries of 25 players of this squad.”
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho had already picked Levante to be the season’s revelation soon after his side fell 1-0 at Estadio Ciutat de Valencia and on Monday, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola called Levante’s team effort an “example.”
“If they have arrived this far, beating big teams, it is because they are doing things well and we have to congratulate them,” Guardiola said. “They have veteran players with a lot of miles in their legs and a lot of experience, and once again they are showing that your past record doesn’t matter.”
Martinez has established a clear style of play for Levante based on teamwork in defense and speed in attack, with six players chipping in with goals.
Sergio Ballesteros, the 36-year-old captain, anchors a defensive line of Juanfran Garcia (35), Javi Venta (35) and Nano Rivas (32).
Together with 33-year-old goalkeeper Gustavo Munua, they have let in a league-best three goals, while their well-orchestrated counterattacking style has rejuvenated journeymen Valdo Lopes and Juanlu, whose five goals lead the team.
“I have bought all of today’s newspapers,” Juanlu said on Monday. “In 102 years, nothing like this had ever happened, so this will always be remembered.”
Levante have only ever played seven seasons in the top division and they were relegated four years ago as overwhelming debt forced them into bankruptcy protection. The Valencia-based team returned to the top division in 2010-2011 and spent most of the season in the middle of the table, before finishing in 14th place.
While the sale of striker Felipe Caicedo this summer gave them some cash to bring in forwards Jose Barkero and Kone Arouna, the squad is formed largely of castoffs who arrived for free.
This commitment to seasoned players saw Levante set a record for fielding the oldest starting 11 in the history of the top division with an average of age of 31.6 years when they brushed aside Malaga 3-0 two games ago.
Levante sports director Manuel Salvador said earlier this month that the confidence his team is building now will help the players deal with the difficulties lying ahead.
“We have to keep our feet on the ground. The start to the season is positive, but the tough moments will come and if we are not playing at 100 percent they will run right over us, but I don’t think the squad will lower their guard,” Salvador said. “We beat Madrid and the team continued with the same rhythm, that shows they understand.”
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