Getafe 1 : 1 Levante - Juanlu saves Levante

Posted Sunday, August 28, 2011 by PA

Getafe and Levante shared the points in their Primera Liga opener at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

In an expectedly fractious affair after Getafe coach Luis Garcia's decision to leave Levante at the end of last season, Miku looked to have handed his new manager a dream start with a wonderful team goal involving the Venezuelan, Pablo Sarabia and Mehdi Lacen.

However, Levante responded well and a controversial equaliser from Juanlu handed the visitors a deserved draw.

Getafe started the brighter and had the first effort on goal when good combination play between Miku and Abdel Barrada gave the former a clear sight of goal, but he shot straight at Gustavo Munua.

Lacen headed over after another good team move before Levante came closest to scoring in the first half with a fierce shot from Ruben Suarez that whistled inches past the post.

Miku's goal arrived after 61 minutes and in a game generally devoid of quality it was a thing of beauty. Sarabia played the ball into the Venezuelan playmaker before he played a one-two with Lacen and fired a volley into the top corner from 18 yards.

Levante's equaliser had a touch of fortune on two counts as Carlos Aranda appeared to handle before feeding Juanlu, who also got the break of the ball before curling a fine effort beyond Miguel Angel Moya.

Getafe had one final chance to win the match but Pedro Rios' free-kick in the final minute of stoppage time flew harmlessly over.