Del Moral: Levante Boss Treats Real Sociedad Clash as ‘Cup Final’

Levante manager Álvaro del Moral isn’t mincing his words ahead of tomorrow’s crucial La Liga clash with Real Sociedad, as the struggling Valencia-based side desperately seek to climb out of the relegation dogfight before the Christmas break.

Not Playing for His Job

Despite the intense pressure of Levante’s precarious position, Del Moral insists his future doesn’t hinge on this single result. The gaffer was crystal clear that while he views the match as a “final,” he doesn’t believe it’s a case of win-or-get-your-marching-orders.

The young coach pointed to positive signs of evolution in recent matches, suggesting his project needs time to fully bear fruit:

“Everything requires a process. We’re growing with and without the ball, and what we’re seeing is that there’s evolution. We’re acquiring what we want and that’s where we want to go—to be better.”

Injury Concerns and Selection Headaches

The Levante boss confirmed several team news updates ahead of the crucial fixture:

• Koyalipou is unavailable after suffering a recurrence of injury problems
• Positive news on Dela and Carlos Espí, who are both fit and available
• Rotation expected after midweek Copa del Rey exertions
• Carlos Espí earmarked for potentially more minutes after impressing

Home Advantage Critical

Del Moral is banking on the Ciutat de València stadium atmosphere to give his side the edge in what he describes as a proper six-pointer against fellow strugglers Real Sociedad.

“It’s an opportunity to win at home. That means closing the gap with a rival that’s down there, and we’re experiencing it like a final,” he explained, clearly desperate to give the home fans something to cheer about before the holiday period.

The boss also highlighted the emotional aspect of managing the first team at home, expressing his desire to “hook the people in” and create a unified front between supporters and players.

Carlos Álvarez: The X-Factor

One player singled out for special attention was Carlos Álvarez, whom Del Moral described as “differential” – a game-changer who needs to be involved in play. The manager acknowledged the player’s emotional and demanding nature but emphasized the trust placed in him regardless of direct goal contributions.

Bottom Line

With both teams in desperate need of points, tomorrow’s clash has all the makings of a proper relegation dogfight. Del Moral’s men will be hoping home advantage tips the scales in their favour as they aim to reset their season heading into the Christmas period.

For Levante, it’s not just about the three points – it’s about building belief that they have what it takes to survive in Spain’s top flight.