FCBARCELONA.CAT

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.