Getafe vs Levante preview - Alcaraz not focusing on injuries

Posted Saturday, April 25, 2015 by PA

Levante coach Lucas Alcaraz insists his side do not have a better chance of winning at Getafe this weekend even though the Madrid side have such a lengthy casualty list.

Forwards Angel Lafita, Karim Yoda and Alvaro Vazquez are all injured, as is defender Juan Valera, while captain Alexis Ruano and centre-back Emiliano Vazquez are both suspended for the game.

"If we just focus on Getafe's absences, we'll walk into trouble," Alcaraz told a press conference.

"We have to remember that this is a difficult stadium to go and we're playing against difficult opponents. We have to give the best of ourselves, be competitive and commit few errors."

The coach also vented his frustration at the fixture pile up for his side, who play three games in the next six days: they visit Getafe on Sunday, then host Cordoba on Tuesday, before playing at Real Sociedad on Friday.

"Along with Granada we're the team that has the least days between games, we are clearly the team that has come off worst," he said.

"There's nothing we can do about it, they have not given us enough time to rest and I think some of our players won't recover in time so I'll have to make rotations. The statistics are available for everyone to see, we have to play three matches in six days. But however much you complain, they aren't going to make any changes."

Levante's only absence for the trip to Getafe is injured midfielder Pape Diop.

Alcaraz's side sit 16th in the Primera Division table, just one point above the relegation zone, but salvaged a vital point in their last outing, drawing 2-2 with Espanyol thanks to a last-minute leveller by Victor Casadesus.

Getafe meanwhile were taken apart 4-0 by Athletic Club last weekend, but Pablo Franco's side are in a far more comfortable position than Levante, sitting 13th in the table and eight points clear of the drop zone.

And the coach believes a victory this weekend will all but confirm survival for his side.

"We can't secure survival mathematically yet, but we can secure virtual survival," he told the club's official website.

"The fans have been spectacular and the club is doing everything possible to ensure more come to the game. We are very happy and we're going to give our all so we can keep pushing forward."