Cordoba C.F. vs Levante preview - Djukic demands same again



Posted Saturday, December 13, 2014 by PA

Cordoba coach Miroslav Djukic has sought to bring his team down to earth following their triumph at Athletic Bilbao last weekend, warning that his side "have still not achieved anything".

The 1-0 win at San Mames was the club's first win since returning to the top flight and took them off the bottom of the Primera Division table, but they remain in the relegation zone and the Serbian coach is looking for a similar performance at home to relegation rivals Levante on Saturday.

"We haven't achieved anything yet so we need to keep on working hard and with humility because we'll be facing a very tough Levante side," Djukic told a press conference, quoted by Marca.

"It's a very important game against a direct rival and a win would almost certainly allow us to get out of the relegation zone, so that's another motivation for us."

Levante are three points clear of Cordoba and 15th in the table, without a win in their last three competitive games.

But Djukic still believes they will cause his side problems, praising the impact Lucas Alcaraz has had on the team since succeeding Jose Luis Mendilibar.

"They will be a difficult side to play against, they've recovered their old identity with Lucas and now they have returned to being the Levante of previous years, strong in defence and direct in attack," said Djukic.

The coach also explained how the victory over Athletic has helped his side gain confidence.

"Whenever you win, and especially after so many weeks without winning, it's always a relief, and winning at such a difficult team like Athletic has strengthened our morale and allowed us to work with more peace of mind.

"It's been great to get rid of that anxiety that came from not winning, and now we need to keep improving so we can progress. We have to play well tomorrow without becoming obsessed with victory - instead we need to go looking for victory from the first minute."

Djukic will be without injured players Iago Bouzon and Faustro Rossi, while left-back Daniel Pinillos is suspended. However, the coach welcomes back forward Fede Cartabia from suspension.

His opposite number Alcaraz is without defender Hector Rodas through injury, and the coach has left Pedro Lopez, Victor Camarasa and Jordi Xumetra out of his squad for the trip to Andalusia.



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