Celta Vigo vs Levante preview - Alcaraz prepares for Levante bow

Posted Thursday, October 23, 2014 by PA

Lucas Alcaraz acknowledged he was facing a tough assignment after taking up the Levante reins, but appeared to be relishing the challenge ahead of his first Primera Division match at the helm.

The former Almeria and Granada boss was on Wednesday presented as the successor to the sacked Jose Luis Mendilibar, signing until the end of the season with the option to stay on if the team stays up.

His first game in charge comes in the form of a tricky-looking trip to seventh-placed Celta Vigo on Friday night, but Alcaraz was full of optimism at his official unveiling on Wednesday.

"I think we all need to be convinced that we can stay up," he was quoted as saying at his press conference.

"It is a difficult road for all teams. You cannot win the battle at the end of May, but today. We go every day - that is the reality."

Mendilibar was dismissed on Tuesday, with the team sitting second bottom of La Liga having picked up just five points in eight matches.

Alcaraz, who left Granada in May having overseen their top-flight survival, admitted there was no time to waste in going about his new task.

"I see a very positive disposition towards everything, and this gives us all a tremendous desire to succeed as quickly as possible," he said ahead of Friday's trip to Balaidos.

Alcaraz has seen many of Levante's games this season, and feels he knows what he needs to work on.

"I aim to see all the teams that I think can work with," he said. "I want the team to be balanced in all facets of the game.

"There is no single style. We have to get the team to be as reliable as possible. It works at the level that we now have, but we have to go full throttle.

"A team that is rocky does not have to give up attacking. It's complicated by the urgency of the situation - replacing a coach, and the circumstances."

Levante president Quico Catalan said Alcaraz had a "clear goal, for which we row together" - to keep the club in the top division.

"It's an unusual situation for us. Lucas understands this and is excited about the project," he said, before addressing Alcaraz: "Wish you all the best because your success is our success."

Ivan Lopez, Tono, David Navarro, Loukas Vyntra and Rafael Martins were not included in the Levante squad as they recover from injuries, with Jaime Gavilan and Victor Perez also overlooked.

Celta head into the game well positioned but looking for a first win in three, having drawn 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao last weekend after suffering a first loss of the season - 3-1 at home to Villarreal - before the international break.

Coach Eduardo Berizzo will be without Borja Oubina, Augusto Fernandez and Andreu Fontas on Friday evening due to injury, and Fabian Orellana through suspension.