This October and November of this year may very well mark a change in the winds. Levante, "wind of the east" in Spanish", have turned the tables on their city rivals, Valencia CF. Since their last promotion in 2010, Levante have made things difficult for Valencia. There used to be a common saying amongst VCF fans, saying that they actually preferred to have Levante in First Division, because it meant there were 6 assured points for the taking. The reality has been quite different. Not once in the last three seasons has VCF been able to take all points from the city derbys, settling for two away wins and two home draws in the previous two seasons. Now, this season, Levante made the definitive smash hit against the goats with a 1-0 home win that sent Levante fans into a frenzy. However, Obafemi Martin's lone strike was not a lone strike so to speak. Indeed, Levante have shown over the course of the last two months that this city derby can be theirs for the claiming. Levante have won every single derby from the first team to the youth teams.
 |
| Photo montage courtesy of @FotografíasLUD |
1-0. Martins, min. 21
A golden strike from newcomer Obafemi Martins put Levante ahead in the scoreline for good in the October match. The buildup was a perfectly executed Levante counterattack. It was impossible to launch a quicker counter. Goalkeeper Gustavo Múnua launched the ball from his area to the Valencia half, with the Valencia players leaving a ton of space behind their line it was a race to reach the ball, a race that Diego Costa and his Valencia teammates had no chance of winning.
Oba-Oba ran on to the ball chest-controlled away from his rivals and smashed a thunderstrike from near the penalty spot. Vicente Guaita barely saw it coming, and all he could do was hopelessly outstretch a hand in a late reflex to follow the trajectory of the ball, which had already entered his net.
With the final whistle, el Ciutat erupted in jubilant applause. Something that had seemed so far from reach, indeed Levante had not beaten Valencia since the 2006-07 campaign when it defeated Valencia at home by a score of 4-2.
Levante UD B 4 - 2 Valencia-Mestalla
0-1.Álex Cortell, min. 7
1-1.Mossa, min. 22
1-2.Álex Cortell, min. 46
2-2.Andy, min. 84
3-2.Provencio, min. 87
4-2.Roger, min. 91
In the derby of "B" teams, Levante won a very thrilling match for the spectators. After initially losing 0-1 and 1-2, Levante managed to come from behind and win 4-2.
The derby was extra sweet for Mossa, who after coming up in the Levante youth system decided to make the move to Mestalla last season, where he did not enjoy many opportunities. Now back with Levante, and this time in Division 2B, Mossa was able to put Levante back in the game.
Both teams are in the 3rd Division (2B in the Spanish Football heirarchy). Currently, Levante are in promotion positions (to 2nd Division) and Valencia-Mestalla is in the relegation zone.
Levante U-18's 1 - 0 Valencia U-18's
1-0.Jason, min. 10
Levante won a very even contest in which both teams faught valiently up to the very end. Jason's goal in the early going, allowed Levante to dictate terms, waiting to launch counters and defending conservatively.
Levante UD Women - Valencia Women (November 25th)
The Levante Women have yet to dispute the city derby of the women's sides. The match is set tentatively for the 25th of November. Currently, the Levante women are in 5th place with a total of 21 points, while their counterparts are stuggling to stay above the relegation zone with just 9 points in 10 matches played. Let's hope the Levante Women can keep what seems to be a distinct change in the winds, putting Levante on top of the footballing world in Valencia.
 |
| Mossa knocks home the 1-1 strike Source: LevanteUD website |
0-1.Álex Cortell, min. 7
1-1.Mossa, min. 22
1-2.Álex Cortell, min. 46
2-2.Andy, min. 84
3-2.Provencio, min. 87
4-2.Roger, min. 91
In the derby of "B" teams, Levante won a very thrilling match for the spectators. After initially losing 0-1 and 1-2, Levante managed to come from behind and win 4-2.
The derby was extra sweet for Mossa, who after coming up in the Levante youth system decided to make the move to Mestalla last season, where he did not enjoy many opportunities. Now back with Levante, and this time in Division 2B, Mossa was able to put Levante back in the game.
Both teams are in the 3rd Division (2B in the Spanish Football heirarchy). Currently, Levante are in promotion positions (to 2nd Division) and Valencia-Mestalla is in the relegation zone.
Levante U-18's 1 - 0 Valencia U-18's
1-0.Jason, min. 10
Levante won a very even contest in which both teams faught valiently up to the very end. Jason's goal in the early going, allowed Levante to dictate terms, waiting to launch counters and defending conservatively.
Levante UD Women - Valencia Women (November 25th)
The Levante Women have yet to dispute the city derby of the women's sides. The match is set tentatively for the 25th of November. Currently, the Levante women are in 5th place with a total of 21 points, while their counterparts are stuggling to stay above the relegation zone with just 9 points in 10 matches played. Let's hope the Levante Women can keep what seems to be a distinct change in the winds, putting Levante on top of the footballing world in Valencia.
No comments:
Post a Comment