Levante vs Valencia preview - Gaya targets derby delight

Posted Saturday, November 22, 2014 by PA

Valencia left-back Jose Gaya is confident his boyhood club can get the better of local rivals Levante this weekend.

Los Che make the short trip to the Ciutat de Valencia on Sunday as they look to close the gap on Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Nuno's side sit third in the Primera Division ahead of the match against struggling Levante, against whom Gaya, who grew up in the city and supports Valencia, is hopeful they can emerge victorious.

"It is always a special game, but in the end there are three points at stake just like in any other La Liga game," the Spain Under-21 international told Spanish media at a press conference.

"I am sure that if we go out with intensity we will take the victory, but it is not going to be easy.

"Levante come into this game off the back of three very good games.

"They like to play deeper and have a bit more of a counter-attacking style, so we have to adapt to these kinds of situations.

"If we have the ball, it will be more difficult for them."

Just 48 hours ahead of the match Valencia head coach Nuno travelled to Ciutat de Valencia for a photo shoot in which he exchanged shirts with Levante counterpart Lucas Alcaraz.

"Thanks to Nuno for accepting the invitation," Alcaraz said.

"We want a great game with the teams at their best. I am convinced the fans are going to help us. There is an atmosphere of cordiality and the news should be what happens on the field."