Real Madrid vs Levante preview - Mourinho eyes tough run

Posted Sunday, February 12, 2012 by PA

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes the Primera Division fixture list has dealt a trickier hand to his side than to Barcelona over the next month, and will not be taking anything for granted when fourth-placed Levante visit the Bernabeu on Sunday night.

The Valencia-based outfit are the only team other than Barca to have inflicted defeat on Mourinho's men in any competition this season, and travel to the capital looking to do the double against the league leaders.

Madrid head into the weekend seven points clear at the summit - although champions Barcelona could reduce that at Osasuna on Saturday night - and Mourinho reckons the next few weeks will provide a tough test of his team's title credentials.

The Portuguese said: "We play Levante, who are fourth, then Rayo Vallecano, who have been a revelation this season, and Espanyol, who are fighting for a European spot.

"It's a complicated month for us, perhaps more for us than for our direct rivals."

Madrid also play relegation-threatened Racing Santander next weekend, while Barca take on Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Sporting Gijon after this evening's game in Pamplona.

Arouna Kone's second-half strike earned Levante a surprise 1-0 win against Madrid at the Ciutat de Valencia in September, and Mourinho accepts Juan Ignacio Martinez's side deserve to be where they are.

He said: "Levante have their merits - not only to have won that game, but to be where they are in February - not in October or November. Everyone thought they would have slipped away by now.

"And they must finish there - between fourth and sixth position. Their work is impressive - the coach, the players and the club."

Mourinho is without the injured Hamit Altintop and Lassana Diarra for the match, while Marcelo and Angel Di Maria, who have also been sidelined with injuries of late, have been omitted from a 20-man squad.

Levante right-back Pedro Lopez, who has resumed training after missing out for two days earlier this week due to a cold, could feature but coach Martinez will be without Juanlu and Jose Javier Barkero through injury, with Juanfran (foot) also doubtful and Xavi Torres suspended.

Martinez knows his side have their work cut out trying to repeat their September success.

"They have moved on from that and have since won almost everything," the Levante coach said. "We must concentrate because they are able to score a goal from nothing."

Levante have not won in the league since beating Sevilla 1-0 on December 10, and Martinez hopes that statistic will give his side extra motivation for the game.

"We will go there looking to break the dynamic that we have had in recent weeks," he said. "That aspect will make us more competitive.

"We know that we will play against a team few teams have been able to match this season, but we also know that it is 11 against 11 on the night."