Valladolid vs Levante preview - Dukic wants grounded Valladolid

Posted Monday, August 27, 2012 by PA

Real Valladolid coach Miroslav Dukic has warned his team not to get carried away by their promising start to life back in the Primera Division as they prepare for Monday's home game against Levante.

Dukic's side made a winning return to the top flight last weekend, midfielder Oscar Gonzalez netting the only goal of the game to sink Real Zaragoza at La Romareda.

But the Serbian accepts there remains plenty for his team to work on ahead of their opening match of the campaign at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla.

"I was delighted by the Zaragoza match - we won and gave a good impression of ourselves," he said. "Of course, we have much room for improvement and a way to go because it was only the first game.

"We approached the new season with less training days than our rivals and we knew these two games would be difficult, so it was important that we maintained our philosophy, the way we play, the system on the field.

"Maybe we were a little sloppy at times, but that is normal at the start of the league."

Levante, who finished sixth in the top flight last season after briefly topping the table in late October, moved to the brink of the Europa League group stage on Thursday night with a 2-0 win at Scottish side Motherwell in the first leg of their play-off.

Dukic, who hopes to have Henrique Sereno available after the defender sealed his loan move from Porto, was full of praise for Juan Ignacio Martinez's side ahead of their meeting.

"It's a team in Europe," he said. "That says a lot. They defend very well, with all 11 players, making it difficult to find a gap. And they can attack you with a lethal move or very strong set-pieces.

"They have many fast and quality players. We're going to need a lot of patience to play this game because it will be hard and long. We must not despair at any time and always be focused on the game."

Levante, who kicked off their term with a 1-1 home draw against Atletico Madrid, will have to adjust to combining the demands of European and domestic football for the first time after returning from their successful trip to Scotland.

Pape Diop seems certain to take his place in the visitors' starting XI after missing the Motherwell game due to problems with his visa and Theofanis Gekas may be handed his first league start after only appearing as a substitute against Atletico.

Juanfran, though, is still a few weeks away from returning to full fitness and Pedro Rios is also a doubt.