Levante vs Almeria preview - Alcaraz staying positive

Posted Saturday, November 01, 2014 by PA

Levante coach Lucas Alcaraz has offered a message of optimism in the midst of his team's worst run of form since returning to the top flight in 2010.

Alcaraz's tenure as Levante boss got off to a nightmare start last weekend with a 3-0 defeat at Celta Vigo and the 48-year-old will be hoping for better in his first game in charge at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium, against his former club Almeria.

Los Granotes are languishing at the bottom of the Primera Division table with five points and have failed to get on the scoresheet in seven of their nine games.

However, Alcaraz is not about to be disheartened by the challenge confronting him,

"Every match is an opportunity for us to show that what we are working on can bear fruit," he told a press conference, carried by Marca.

"Our fans need to be upbeat and the team needs to be aware that there is still a lot left for us to fight for. That should give us the conviction, the hope and the energy to confront this situation."

Alcaraz also insisted it was too early to call the game with Almeria a final.

"This would be an important game even if we were in a different situation, but beyond looking at the importance of the game, we need to look at what things we need to work on, how we can be strong and from there on contest the match with a clear head so we can get our tactics right," he said.

"We need to transmit ideas and make sure we are all seen and heard on the pitch. Rather than thinking about what we are lacking, we have to take the initiative."

Almeria also go into the game on the back of two straight defeats, but coach Francisco Rodriguez insisted there was no need for his team to get desperate.

"We are facing another team that will be fighting for survival but this game is not a decisive game and so we have to prepare for it with serenity and be very focused," he told Spanish media.

"We can't allow ourselves to play with anxiety, especially when there is no reason to. We just have to focus on playing well and be aware that our opponents are going to demand a lot of us and we must be prepared for that."

Levante will be without forward Rafael Martins and defender Hector Rodas but welcome back Loukas Vyntra, David Navarro and Tono Garcia. Almeria's only absentee is reserve goalkeeper Julian Cuesta.