“We Know What Our Fans Feel”

Levante prepares for a vibrant derby:

Levante prepares for a vibrant derby: “We know what our fans feel”

Luís Castro, Granota coach, faces the duel against Valencia with maximum ambition and respect for the rivalry

The atmosphere in the city of Valencia is dyed blue and white. On Sunday, a derby will be played that transcends sports, a clash of passions that Levante coach, Luís Castro, understands perfectly. “It's one more game to win, like all the others. But we know that for the fans it is a special game,” declared the Portuguese coach in the previous press conference, underlining the emotional importance of the match.

Castro acknowledged that the victory against the eternal rival is an injection of joy for the Granota fans. “As we work to make them happy, we know that if we win we will give them more,” he stated with conviction. Despite the importance of the duel, the Portuguese coach insists that the team's planning remains unchanged. “For us it is just another game, we plan it the same,” he said, although without hiding the extra motivation that a derby generates.

Rivalry is an inherent component of these matches, but for Luís Castro, each match on the field requires maximum dedication. “For me, derbies are about winning, like the rest of the games. When you go to the field of play, everyone is a rival. It is rivalry on the field of play, you have to give your best, but it is no different than the rest of the games, it is the same as other games,” he explained.

With more than twenty years of experience on the bench, Castro has experienced the intensity of derbies in different contexts. “I know what derbies are. I know the importance for the fans,” he commented. His roots in the city have allowed him to closely experience the feelings of the Levantine fans. “When you are on the street or a fan talks to you, you know what they like. People inside the club also tell me what they think,” he added. The atmosphere that surrounds a derby, according to Castro, is experienced long before and long after the opening whistle. “It is a game that is experienced before and after, it does not just remain on the day of the game,” he concluded.

Regarding the rival, Valencia, the Levante coach has analyzed their recent matches, recognizing that this Sunday's match will have little to do with the first round match at Mestalla. “The two teams are different at this moment,” he said. Castro highlighted the individualities of the Che team, capable of making a difference, but also identified collective aspects that his team can exploit. “He has very strong individuals, players who can make a difference in some game situations. Collectively he has some things that we can take advantage of and we, more than anything, have to be very strong and play the game to win,” he analyzed.

Luís Castro preferred not to enter into controversies about past incidents, such as the brawl that concluded the first leg. “I don't know what happened, I'm so focused on my team that if there were strange things… I don't have much time to waste on little things,” he said, reaffirming his focus on the present and the preparation of his team.

The sports news of the day for Levante is the confirmed loss of French player Ugo Raghouber. The footballer is suffering from discomfort resulting from the effort made in the last League match against Athletic Club, which will prevent him from being available for the derby. Castro, however, was confident in the depth of his squad to make up for the absence of Raghouber and Toljan, who will serve a suspension due to the accumulation of yellow cards at right back. “We have many solutions for the right,” he assured.

The Levante coach made it clear that his mind is set exclusively on the duel against Valencia. Despite having two important matches next week against Villarreal and FC Barcelona, the derby captures all their attention. “Only think about the clash against Valencia because it is the most immediate and there is no question of any type of rotation,” he said. Castro also took the opportunity to express his disagreement with the calendar, which gives Levante less rest compared to Villarreal. “There is no coach who likes to have less time than the others. It is not my job but I have not understood it,” he lamented. However, the Granota coach was resilient and focused on the fight: “We are going to work, because I knew that now we had to be more resilient because we were winning games and people were starting to look at us in a different way. We are going to fight like this, no longer a problem.”

Frequently Asked Questions about the Valencian Derby:

What does the derby mean for coach Luís Castro?
For Luís Castro, every match is an opportunity to win, but he recognizes the special importance that the derby has for Levante fans, to whom he seeks to give extra joy with a victory.
How does Luís Castro experience the rivalry of a derby?
Castro considers that rivalry is part of the game and demands maximum effort in each match, without differentiating a derby from any other match in terms of intensity and concentration.
How important are the feelings of the fans for the coach?
The coach greatly values the emotions of the fans and understands that a victory in the derby gives them special happiness, something that his team seeks to achieve.
Has the coach analyzed Valencia's game?
Yes, Luís Castro has studied Valencia's last games, pointing out that the current team differs from the first round and that it has strong individualities and collective aspects that can be taken advantage of.
Are there any injured or suspended players in Levante?
Yes, the French player Ugo Raghouber will not be able to play due to physical discomfort. In addition, Toljan is suspended for accumulation of yellow cards.
Has Luís Castro decided on the starting eleven for the derby?
Yes, the coach has stated that the eleven for Sunday's match is decided one day before the match.
Is Levante worried about the upcoming games against Villarreal and Barcelona?
Luís Castro has made it clear that his only concern is the derby against Valencia, since it is the most immediate match.
Has the coach expressed any complaints about the schedule?
Yes, Castro has expressed his disagreement for having less rest time than other teams, such as Villarreal, although he assures that his team will work to overcome this circumstance.
Did Luís Castro comment on the brawl from the first leg?
No, the coach preferred not to comment on past incidents, focusing on his team's preparation for the current match.
What does Luís Castro expect from the match against Valencia?
He expects a match in which his team must be very strong and play to win, taking advantage of the opponent's weaknesses and minimizing his own.