Javier Barkero has reflected on the ‘tremendous enthusiasm’ he sees in the Levante dressing room this week.
Los Granotes host Rubin Kazan tonight in the first leg of their Europa League Last 16 tie, in what is the club’s debut season in European competition.
“Inside the dressing room we are facing the game with tremendous enthusiasm, like the fans are,” Barkero told reporters in his pre-match Press conference.
“We know it will be the highest attendance of the season at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium. We have not ever seen anything like this before or been in this frame of mind, it is a dream.
“It is a golden era in Spanish football, but now we are the only Spanish left in the Europa League, so we want to get as far as possible.
“The closest thing I have played to this game is a group stage match in the Champions League, but that did not have the significance of this tie.
“Hopefully in two or three weeks we are playing in an even more important one in the quarter-finals.
“Defensively, Rubin Kazan are very strong in attack and they have great potential because they have just eliminated Atletico Madrid.”
Barkero was asked of former Rubin Kazan forward Obafemi Martins’ mindset going into the game.
“I’ve only heard a few questions on football and many on Martins. I think we have spent all week talking about Oba and tomorrow is a very important game to talk only about Oba.”
