Levante vs Elche preview - Levante are not in crisis - Diop

Posted Thursday, December 12, 2013 by PA

Levante have lost their last five matches in all competitions, but midfielder Pape Diop remains in philosophical mood.

Los Granotes' fine start to the campaign is fast becoming a distant memory, having suffered defeats in their last four Primera Division outings.

That poor league run was compounded last weekend as they suffered defeat to second-tier Recreativo in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie.

Levante will be hoping to stop the rot when Elche visit Ciutat de Valencia on Friday - a match which Diop approaches in a relaxed mood, despite the woeful recent form.

"It's true that you lose four games and everyone starts saying 'crisis', but we are still on 17 points," he said, referring to Levante's 13th-placed standing.

"If we win on Friday, we are where we need to be. If you have 20 points, it is a good thing.

"We are defending well but need to create many more chances and start scoring.

"It is not for the front line or the wingers, this is something the team must do together."

Elche are two places better off than Levante heading into the match, although only ahead of the hosts on goal difference.

Los Franjiverdes drew 2-2 at Villarreal last time out in the Copa del Rey, putting Alberto Rivera in confident mood ahead of the clash with his former club.

"The match against Levante is special to me because it was the team that gave me the opportunity to play in the Primera Division, but that does not mean you do not want to win," the midfielder said.

"They are a team that knows how to manage time, are mentally strong and very mature. They have not collapsed with recent poor performance."