Levante UD heads into the week dealing with two major developments: the definitive collapse of the Sergio Akieme signing and preparations for a tough LaLiga match against FC Barcelona without the injured Etta Eyong. According to Fichajes.com, world football's governing body has rejected the club's appeal over the failed transfer of the left-back.
Why did the Sergio Akieme signing fail?
The deal for 28-year-old Sergio Akieme was agreed in the final hours of the summer transfer window, but the necessary paperwork was completed after the official deadline. La Liga, therefore, did not process his registration. Levante lodged an appeal with FIFA, but the governing body has confirmed the operation was not finalized within the established regulatory time frame. Akieme, whose contract with Stade de Reims runs until June 2028, had approved a loan move to Levante. Following this double setback, the player must reintegrate with the French side and remain there at least until the next transfer window in January. This situation leaves Luis Castro's side without the defensive reinforcement it sought.
How is Levante shaping up for the Barcelona match?
Levante hosts the league leaders this Sunday, September 13th, at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia. The granota team currently sits 11th in the standings, with 5 points from a record of one win, two draws, and one loss. Their recent form is DWDL, having scored 5 goals and conceded 5, which places them 7 points behind Barcelona. Luis Castro will be without player Etta Eyong for this fixture, according to the club's latest verified data. The team arrives after securing a hard-fought goalless draw away to Málaga CF on September 6th, a match where the hosts missed an 8th-minute penalty. Prior to that, the Orriols-based side showed their best version with a stunning 5-2 home win over Real Betis.
What challenge does Hansi Flick's Barcelona present?
FC Barcelona travels to Valencia undefeated and top of the table, with 12 points from four matchdays. Hansi Flick's side is in high spirits after a dominant 0-5 victory against Valencia CF at Mestalla, also on September 6th, featuring a brace from Lamine Yamal. Their attack has netted 14 league goals, posing the ultimate test for Levante's defense. Barcelona arrives with some injury absentees but otherwise has a near-full squad. For Levante, the match represents an opportunity to test their solidity against the competition's best attack. You can check the full squad status on our injuries page.
What is Levante's league context?
With 5 points from 4 games, Levante UD's start to the season has been mixed. The win against Betis demonstrated their scoring capability at home, while the draw in Málaga underlined their defensive resilience on the road. The team needs to find greater consistency to climb the table. The upcoming fixture against Barcelona is the first in a series of key matches that will define the initial direction of their campaign. Fans can follow the full schedule in our fixtures section. Sunday's clash will kick off at 16:15 local Spanish time.
