Mauricio Pellegrino is full of respect and caution for local rivals and weekend opponents Levante and has praised them for their work.
Levante host Pellegrino’s team this Sunday lunchtime in the Valencian derby just a point and two places behind Los Che.
The feeling of a level playing field this weekend is echoed by the Coach in his sentiments today.
“Levante have confirmed at the start of the League, with their home games, that they are a team that aspires to be more than just safe from relegation, they are a rival of great note,” he told gathered reporters.
“They are difficult to face and have clear ideas, hopefully my team can express its virtues in the field and we can see a great show. I really liked what Levante did last season, they were a team in the fullest sense of the word.
“They achieved something historic at the club too. They have established themselves in the Primera Division and I would like to congratulate Juan Ignacio [Martinez] for doing so.
“Being in the Europa League is a very important step for any team. Levante has brought much more to the city and that is good. In the community it is good to have football in every category.
“I want to congratulate them for the work done, they have a very clear idea of playing and they mix young and experienced players well.”
The Coach refused to agree that Obafemi Martins was the singular threat in attack.
“Levante accommodates not only the speed of Martinez, you will see a team that creates, makes space. I do not like rating one player – it depends on the collective strength.”
Los Che will be without Sofiane Feghouli for three games, after the Frenchman was handed an extra two-game ban after his dismissal last weekend for sarcastically applauding the referee.
“We have lost a player for three very important games for an involuntary action, with regard to respect and impeding the spirit of the game and in which there was no aggression.
“He has been punished to excess. I have seen similar actions in several games that have been allowed to pass by. We must learn, I talked to the player so that such errors do not occur again.
“It is a pity to lose an important player for an action that is not of the severity to merit three games.”
