Vicente Iborra says Levante cannot allow themselves to be distracted by Obafemi Martins’ issue, in facing one of the Nigerian’s former clubs this week.
Los Granotes are up against Rubin Kazan in the first leg of the Europa League Last 16 this Thursday, amid the backdrop of Martins pushing for a move to Seattle Sounders.
“It is true that we would like to forget about these issues, but we have to isolate ourselves from all that so as to focus on Rubin Kazan, because if we are distracted, we will pay,” warned midfielder Iborra to reporters.
“Today I consider him my teammate, I hope that he is well and comfortable. [As a former Rubin player] Martins is guiding us, saying how they play, how they can hurt us.
“He has told us that they are a very physical team, very well organised at the back and they are great at taking advantage of opportunities.
“They have players that can destabilise us, like Eremanko, whilst we also know about Rondon, he’s a good goalscorer.”
Iborra was asked if Levante go into Thursday’s game as favourites, in what is still their debut season in European football.
“I do not think we are favourites, they have much more experience than us. This is our first experience in Europe and we do not know when we will be back to play again.
“Hopefully it will be very soon, but we have to seize this unique opportunity.”
