Levante UD coach Luís Castro has highlighted Villarreal’s evolution in recent weeks, despite an irregular start to the season with only one victory in the first few games. In his press conference before the derby, he stressed that the Costa Blanca team is already close to recovering its competitive level, especially after their last match. This progress, according to Castro, should not go unnoticed, as Villarreal remains one of the most solid teams in LaLiga, both for its technical quality and its experience in European competitions.
Castro has insisted that Villarreal’s current performance should not deceive anyone, especially not their own team. Although the Barcelona team has shown some irregularity in the first matches, the Portuguese coach has no doubt of their potential, highlighting their participation in Europe as a reflection of their level. For him, the rival remains one of the strongest in the championship, and any negligence could have serious consequences in the match.
The coach has rejected any comparison with last year’s result, when Levante suffered a 5-1 defeat in the same scenario. He considers that that match has no relation to the current situation, either in the state of the players or in the level of both teams. For Castro, the focus must be on the present, without letting the past influence the mentality of the group.
As for Levante’s performance away from home, the coach does not show concern about the lack of goals on away trips. He believes that creating opportunities is key, and that goals will come naturally if the offensive work is maintained. He trusts that the team is on the right track and that, with the right concentration, it will be able to take advantage of its advantages in the match.
The only absences for the match are Etta Eyong, Hugo Sotelo and Álex Primo, all affected by injuries. Mathew Ryan, absent due to commitments with his national team, has been mentioned as a beneficial figure in the preparation, as it allows the group to work on defensive and offensive aspects on a daily basis without the pressure of an official match.
Castro has expressed clear confidence in the team’s ability to face the duel. He considers that the match will be one of the most demanding of the start of the season, and that the key will be to maintain constant attention and take advantage of every opportunity against a rival who, in his opinion, is still one of the most powerful in the championship.