Barca, Real hot on Levante's heels

Posted Saturday, October 29, 2011 by ESPN

Levante are revelling in their unlikely status as La Liga leaders with midweek hero Ruben Suarez declaring: "We are the team to beat."

Ruben lashed home a stunning 93rd-minute winner as Levante edged out Real Sociedad 3-2 on Wednesday to move back to the top of the table after being briefly usurped by Barcelona.

The win saw Levante re-establish their one-point lead at the summit over Real Madrid, who won later in the evening, an advantage they will try to preserve at Osasuna on Sunday afternoon.

Valencia-based Levante avoided relegation last season by just two points and were among the favourites to suffer the fate in 2011/12.

The lack of expectation means the players are currently enjoying their new-found fame.

Ruben said: "Right now, we are the team to beat.

"We have another short week to enjoy the moment. After nine rounds we are first and people want to beat us."

Levante will have little trepidation ahead of the trip to Pamplona after thrashing local rivals Villarreal 3-0 in their last away game last Sunday.

By the time they take the field at the Estadio Reyno de Navarra, Levante could be down in third, however, with the big two playing on Saturday.

European champions Barca are first up with a home game against Real Mallorca.

Cesc Fabregas has backed Lionel Messi to get back on the goal trail after a three-game scoreless run - a drought by his prolific standards - which included him missing a penalty in injury-time of the 0-0 draw with Sevilla on Sunday night.

The former Arsenal man said of the Argentinian: "Messi is the best and a born winner.

"Messi always wants to score goals, but that did not happen on Wednesday (against Granada).

"However, the great thing about football is that the best players take no time in getting back on their feet.

"On Saturday he will have another chance to prove that he is the best."

Madrid kick-off at Real Sociedad minutes after the Barca game concludes.

Jose Mourinho's men continued their phenomenal scoring streak on Wednesday by crushing Villarreal 3-0 at the Bernabeu.
Madrid have scored 28 goals in their last seven games in all competitions with their attacking ranks bolstered by the return to full fitness of playmaker Kaka.

The Brazil international played the full game against Villarreal, netting the second goal.

He said: "Things are turning out well for me. I had not played 90 minutes for a long time. I feel well both physically and personally, and I use that to help the team.I'm gradually growing more confident.I'm happy for everything.

"We continue to take points in a championship that will prove to be very difficult. We constantly grow stronger.

"This is a long championship and the quality of the squad will be important and help us face it with guarantees."

Saturday's other game sees struggling Villarreal host Rayo Vallecano. The Yellow Submarine have not won in seven games and the pressure is starting to mount on coach Juan Carlos Garrido.

Another man feeling the heat is Atletico Madrid boss Gregorio Manzano, whose side were booed during the 1-1 home draw against Mallorca last weekend.

Prior to the clash with Athletic Bilbao, Manzano said: "I have watched the game against Mallorca and I don't think we did too much wrong.

"This is a good team with good players but we live in a society of instant success.

"I respect all opinions but surely they (the fans) want the best for Atletico."

After the trip to San Mames, Atletico return to the Vicente Calderon to meet Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

Three successive defeats has seen Malaga's promising start to the season come to a shuddering halt and they will be looking to get back on track at home to Espanyol while Racing Santander go in search of their first win when they host Real Betis.

Sporting Gijon also occupy a place in the relegation zone. They meet Athletic on Sunday.

The weekend programme is completed by Monday night's clash between Sevilla and Granada.