Levante 0 : 0 Getafe - Getafe still in trouble

Posted Sunday, April 20, 2014 by PA

Relegation-threatened Getafe remain in deep trouble after only picking up a point from a goalless draw at Levante.

Cosmin Contra's side wasted two opportunities to take the lead after a positive start to the first half, but had to survive the final 10 minutes of the game with 10 men after Alexis Ruano was dismissed for picking up a second yellow card.

The Madrid side stay in the relegation zone, while Levante missed out on the opportunity to mathematically secure their top-flight status for another year, but have little to worry about, sitting on 41 points.

Levante coach Joaquin Caparros called on fans to fill the Ciutat de Valencia stadium for what he hoped would be a day to celebrate, but those who did make it to the ground would have been left feeling somewhat short changed, as the hosts struggled against one of the worst performing sides in the league.

It was Contra's men who made the brighter start, Ciprian Marica playing a fine through ball to Adrian Colunga to shoot at goal, but the ball was deflected out for a corner.

At the other end, Victor Casadesus tried in vain to steer a wayward shot from David Barral on target.

Midway through the first half, Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas had to get his side out of a mess he made for himself by failing to punch clear a cross into the box, but recovered in time to save Pedro Leon's rebound.

The visitors thought the referee should them a penalty and shown David Navarro a red card when the striker appeared to elbow Ciprian as the pair disputed a high ball, but their appeals were waved away. Navarro would have be forced to leave the pitch two minutes later, however, with a muscular injury.

Navas then saved another attempt from Colunga, and then Casadesus tried to make amends for his earlier miss before the break, but shot wide of goal as he approached the area.

The former Mallorca forward was replaced early in the second half by Baba Diawara, and the substitute came close to breaking the deadlock shortly after coming on, controlling a long ball in the area but shooting just wide of a post.

Levante were the better team in the second period and should have taken advantage when Ruano was given a second booking for a tug on Diawara, but the game finished goalless, meaning Caparros' side will have to wait until next weekend's visit to Elche before they can seal survival.