Levante UD will face Sevilla FC on Monday in La Liga's eighth matchday with three significant injury absences. Manager Luis Castro will be without Karl Etta Eyong, Hugo Sotelo and Alejandro Primo for the clash at the Estadio Ciutat de Valencia, scheduled for 9pm.
The granotes enter the match after a two-week international break, a period that saw some players return but not the injured trio. Etta Eyong has not fully recovered from a right anterior rectus leg injury. Sotelo is working in the gym due to a right ankle sprain, while Primo is out with a shoulder problem.
Castro's likely lineup
With these absences, the predicted starting eleven includes Matt Ryan in goal. The defensive line would be formed by Nacho Pérez, Dela, Mandi and Manu Sánchez. In midfield, Oriol Rey, Olasagasti and Bardeli are expected to start. The attack would rely on Brugui, Thiago and Iván Romero. The latter arrives in good form after scoring in the last two matches against Barcelona and Villarreal.
Brugui, with three goals in five appearances this season, is the team's top scorer and a main offensive hope. Striker Iván Romero has also shown his scoring touch recently. To cover the absences, the manager has tested youth player Diego Moyano in training. Also, Axel Tape and Ifeanyi Ndukwe are now available after their duties with the France U-20 and Austria U-21 national teams, respectively.
Season context
The match is key for a Levante side sitting 17th with just five points from six games. Their only win came against Betis (5-2) in late August, and they have since suffered two consecutive defeats. The latest was a 3-1 loss to Villarreal just before the break. The team needs points to pull away from the relegation zone, and their next fixture after Sevilla will be a visit to Athletic Club at San Mamés next Sunday.
In contrast, Sevilla, managed by Luis García Plaza, arrives in fifth place with 13 points. Their possible lineup includes Odysseas; Juan Iglesias, Andrés Castrín, Kike Salas, Julio Díaz; Agoumé, Fofana, Kochorashvili; Miguel Sierra, Félix Correia and Robbie Ure. Scottish forward Ure could get his first start after his recent call-up to his country's senior national team.
Midfielder Youssouf Fofana has performed at a superlative level for the Andalusians, and Miguel Sierra has been a revelation this campaign. On the downside, Lucas Stassin is a doubt with a right long adductor injury. Full-back Julio Díaz, after a good performance in the Trofeo Antonio Puerta, has a chance to start the match.
Veteran Vicente Iborra, with experience at both clubs, joked about the difficulty of choosing sides for this fixture. "¿A quién quieres más, a mamá o a papá?" (Who do you love more, mum or dad?), said the former player.
With a stretched squad, the performance of the starters and contributions from the bench, where Petar Ratkov awaits minutes, will be key. The match will be broadcast live on Movistar LaLiga. The game takes place on Monday, October 12th in Valencia.
Background and full detail: eldesmarque.com
