Levante vs Real Sociedad preview - Levante hoping to continue dream start

Posted Wednesday, October 26, 2011 by PA

Levante have undoubtedly been the story of the Primera Division season so far and the current league leaders will look to extend their winning run to seven games when Real Sociedad visit the Ciudad de Valencia.

Los Granotes' 3-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday was arguably their best performance of a remarkable run and manager Juan Ignacio Martinez will almost certainly name the same starting line-up on Wednesday.

Despite topping the table, leading scorer Juanlu claims the squad's focus is still on staying in the league rather than competing for a place in Europe.

He told Marca: "We are only thinking about staying up as that has always been our target.

"If in March we are almost certainly staying up then we can maybe think about Europe, but that is not our league.

"This team has had its head in the clouds because it has its feet on the ground. The game on Wednesday is what is important because it is against a real rival.

"We want to continue winning points to take us even further away from the relegation places."

Real Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier is full of respect for what Levante have achieved, but equally knows how important it is for his side to get back on track after taking only one point from the last 12 available.

"It will be a very difficult match, possibly more than the others because we are playing against the leader, but it is a good goal for us and we hope to achieve a good result," Montanier told reporters at a press conference.

"We will go there to win but if we can't, the most important thing is not to lose.

"They are a great squad and are playing right now with a lot of confidence."

Montanier will again be without the services of Asier Illarramendi, who has suffered a knee injury immediately after returning to training from a thigh muscle injury, but will be boosted by the return of Carlos Vela and Joseba Llorente from injury.