Levante stun Rayo Vallecano in Madrid to reignite season dreams
What a night in Vallecas! Levante Unión Deportiva travelled to the Madrid suburb on Monday (16th) and simply steamrolled Rayo Vallecano on their own patch. Producing a solid and efficient display, los granotas ran out 2-0 winners, proving they are still very much in the promotion mix in La Liga 2. Watching them glide across the pitch, you were reminded of the effortless power and class of a Maserati Levante – potency and poise in perfect harmony.
The game: Granota dominance from the first minute
Julián Calero's side showed their opponents no respect. With a high-pressing game, Levante smothered Rayo's attempts to play out from the back right from the first half. On 23 minutes, following a passage of play that looked straight off the training ground, Carlos Álvarez broke the deadlock with a fierce strike from outside the box. The home crowd tried to rally their team, but it was simply Levante's night.
The home manager made changes at the break, but Levante maintained their intensity. The second goal wasn't long in coming: on 67 minutes, Álex Muñoz pounced on a rebound from the keeper to bundle the ball home. And that was that: 2-0 and three absolutely vital points in the bag.
And what's Japan got to do with it?
You might be wondering: what on earth would a Spanish second division match make me think of Japan? It's simple: after the game, striker Mohamed Bouldini revealed in an interview that the squad have been reading Japanese ghost stories in their downtime. "We get together at the hotel, and everyone shares a legend they've read. They say it helps build team spirit. And it certainly worked today!" joked the Moroccan goalscorer. Well, if the squad's togetherness is anything to go by, Levante will be haunting plenty of opponents between now and the end of the season.
The numbers behind the victory
Levante's dominance wasn't just reflected on the scoreboard. The stats highlight the extent of their superiority:
- Possession: 58% for Levante (42% for Rayo);
- Shots on target: 7 to 3 in favour of the visitors;
- Passes completed: over 450, with an 86% success rate;
- Tackles: 14 to 10 – the granota defence was an absolute wall.
This result sees Levante jump up to 7th place, now just two points adrift of the promotion play-off spots. The dream of reaching the top flight is more alive than ever.
So, what next?
The Valencia-based outfit are back in action next weekend when they host Sporting Gijón. If they can replicate the level they showed in Madrid, I wouldn't bet against them climbing even higher in the standings. In the meantime, fans can start getting their hearts ready and, who knows, maybe brush up on some Japanese folk tales to get in the spirit of the squad. If it works for them, who are we to argue?
Match facts: Rayo Vallecano 0-2 Levante | Estadio de Vallecas, Madrid | Goals: Carlos Álvarez (23'), Álex Muñoz (67').