Levante UD is facing a worrying goal drought at the start of the 2026-27 season, with just one point and zero goals from its opening two matches. According to a report by Levante-EMV published this Wednesday, Luís Castro's team currently sits 17th in La Liga, with one point from a draw and a loss, and a record of zero goals scored and three conceded.
What happened in the first two matches?
The campaign began with a heavy 3-0 defeat to Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. In that match, the starting wingers were Víctor García and Paco Cortés. The second matchday brought a goalless draw against Osasuna, a game in which goalkeeper Mathew Ryan put in a strong performance. On that occasion, the wide men were Thiago Fernández and Brugué. The most alarming statistic is that, across 180 minutes of football, Levante has managed only one shot on target. This averages out to 0.5 shots on target per game, the lowest figure in the entire division, where teams like Málaga and Getafe average 1.5.
Why has the attack changed compared to last year?
The contrast with the end of last season is stark. Luís Castro took charge of the team at the start of January and marked his debut with a 0-3 win at Sevilla's Pizjuán. Under his direction, Levante scored 30 goals in 21 matches, making them the sixth-highest scoring team in La Liga in that period. Only Celta Vigo (33), Real Sociedad (38), Real Madrid (44), Barcelona (47), and Villarreal (50) scored more. A key piece of that offensive success was forward Carlos Espí. The player from Tavernes de la Valldigna was involved in 11 goals and scored the first goal of the Castro era. However, Espí was transferred to Real Madrid this summer, where he has already scored on his league debut against Espanyol. His absence appears to be the main factor in the current drought.
Who must now take on the offensive responsibility?
Castro's setup has used midfielders Carlos Álvarez and Enzo Bardeli to build play, while the striker has been Iván Romero, with Etta Eyong coming off the bench. New signing Yanis Musuayi has not yet been in a matchday squad, in a context where LaLiga registrations were completed at the last minute. The task of compensating for Espí's departure now falls to these players. The team urgently needs to find more accuracy in front of goal to ward off relegation fears, as they are already five points behind leaders Sevilla.
What is the next step for Levante?
The schedule does not get any easier. The next challenge is a home match against second-placed Real Betis on August 29. It is an immediate opportunity to break the poor run and prove the attack can function without its former star. Fans can follow the team's progress and check the full fixtures schedule, as well as the updated standings. Recapturing the attacking effectiveness that characterised Levante in the second half of last season is not just a desire, but a necessity to improve a position that currently has them in the relegation zone.
