Vallecano vs Levante preview - Kone: Levante can continue to surprise

Posted Wednesday, September 21, 2011 by PA

Forward Arouna Kone believes Levante can continue to upset the Primera Division's big spenders this season despite their lack of wealth.

Levante have made their best ever start to a top-flight campaign thanks to their stunning 1-0 win over Real Madrid on Sunday night.

The Valencian side had drawn their opening two fixtures and Kone, whose goal decided the match against Jose Mourinho's men, believes Levante's spirit shows results on the pitch do not solely come down to how much money is spent off it.

"Football isn't just money," he said. "Money is outside of the field. Before the game we thought we have two legs like them and we gave 200%. What happened was we played with great concentration."

The goal was only Kone's second in the Primera Division after four difficult seasons at Sevilla where he failed to establish himself in the first team.

"The goal was a very emotional moment for me," he continued. "I had wanted to be physically at my best in the next three matches but Sunday made me realise that I am in good shape and now I want to help my team-mates achieve our next objective."

Rayo had their own great victory on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Getafe and are also unbeaten on their return to the Primera.

However, manager Jose Ramon Sandoval is not getting carried away and believes the match is vitally important as both sides will still be fighting for survival come May.

He said: "All the matches are important but the next one against Levante is in `our league'. To win it is like six points, the three you win and the three they lose.

"Against Levante we will continue in the same manner we have so far. They will arrive with more conviction after beating Real Madrid but Las Vallecas is different and they will find that Rayo is a team that plays very good football."