Levante vs Celta Vigo preview- Celta are on right track - Lopez
Posted Saturday, March 15, 2014 by PA
Saturday's game between Levante and Celta Vigo represents a clash of footballing styles and philosophies.
Hosts Levante have enjoyed another season of stability in the Primera Division table through playing their infamous brand of high intensity, physical football, with current coach Joaquin Caparros barely messing with the formula that had worked so well for his predecessors.
Celta, meanwhile, have spent much of the season near the relegation zone, their commitment to playing a game that is nicer on the eye than Levante's not always bearing fruit.
Luis Enrique's side looked to have moved away from trouble after achieving four league wins since the turn of the year but have stuttered in recent weeks, taking one point from their last three matches to end up just four points from the drop zone.
Midfielder Alex Lopez insists the alarm bells are not ringing just yet, despite teams below Celta gaining ground, but said the club needs to aim to get to their target of 40 points sooner rather than later.
"Even though we've lost two games in a row, the team has been working well and is still on the right track," Lopez told reporters.
"Now it's important we get back on a winning run and do so as soon as possible so we can get to that figure and relax a little, because we've noticed that the teams below us are also winning games."
Celta were beaten by Levante earlier in the season at Balaidos, despite having 75 percent of possession and taking 15 shots, compared to the six managed by their victors.
It was an injustice Celta will be hoping to put right at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium, although Lopez insisted: "We don't want revenge, we just want to play well. We dominated that game and they beat us with one attempt at goal. But that's the type of football they play, that's why they're on 36 points and we have to try and counter them by playing to our strengths."
Levante forward Victor Casadesus meanwhile was up front about how his side will approach the game.
He told reporters: "I am expecting a Celta side that will want to play very nice football, will want the ball and will play out from the back. They don't like launching long balls very much, so we must pressure them high up the pitch and stop them from playing."
Celta will be without Rafinha through injury, but have been boosted by the news Augusto Fernandez has been passed fit after recovering from tonsillitis.
Levante are without defender David Navarro after he was sent off in the 3-0 defeat at Real Madrid.
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