Michel Herrero says he and his Levante teammates knew after Obafemi Martins’ first training session with them that he would make a bright impact.
The Nigerian striker came on after half-time on Sunday to net Los Granotes’ winner in their 2-1 result against Real Sociedad and it was a performance that Michel says the rest of the team had anticipated.
“Did you not see Martins? He came on at half-time and scored three goals, even if two were ruled out,” the midfielder enthused to the Press today.
“He will help us a lot, he gives us a lot in attack and he has a lot of speed. He came on and was ahead of his defender. Hopefully it is the first of many goals.
“During the first training session with him I was one of those who was surprised. In the game, we knew he would score one and was going to impress everyone. And look, he has.”
Michel’s Coach Juan Ignacio Martinez spoke after the game of the excessive heat that the teams had to play in, revealing that Vicente Iborra fainted at half-time and had to be replaced, and that Michel also suffered after coming on as a second half substitute.
Iborra rested at home today, whilst Michel voluntarily took part in training today.
“I do not know what it was, I could not recover after exercising. I was choking, I could not breathe and I just held my position.
“The playing schedules are a little exaggerated, these are hours that are very hot and we are pushing ours bodies to their limit and we are charging a lot.”
Levante won the game after coming from a goal down, in similar fashion to how they beat Espanyol in their previous home match in the League.
“It’s a major comeback. It gives us confidence to move forward. We are super confident. We came after playing on Thursday and still wanted to win.
“The team works out of its skin until the last moment. This team does not throw in the towel.”
