Levante vs Elche preview - Alcaraz hails "unimaginable" escape

Posted Friday, May 22, 2015 by PA

Levante coach Lucas Alcaraz has heaped praise on his team and the club's supporters after securing top-flight survival.

Levante host Elche on Saturday in the final game of the season after mathematically guaranteeing their Primera Division status last week, despite losing 2-0 at Deportivo La Coruna.

Alcaraz took over Levante back in October with the club languishing in 19th spot with just five points from eight matches, but has successfully steered them to safety, following his great escapes with Granada in the last two seasons.

"I will always remember the great attitude of the players and the fans," Alcaraz told a press conference.

"We have gone through many setbacks this season, but we have achieved our objective emphatically and the fact we have done it with two games to go means we deserve even more credit. We have done something that was unimaginable."

Alcaraz is also grateful that his side can look forward to a comfortable final game of the season against Elche because of their recent results.

"We've won the right to a tranquil end to the season, going into the final game of the season with everything to play for affects your health," added the coach, who also confirmed he will continue in charge of the club next season.

Alcaraz will be without Kalu Uche and Pape Diop for the visit of Elche, but has all his other players available for the final send off. David Barral, who was suspended against Deportivo, returns to action for what is set to be his last game for Levante.

Elche, meanwhile, have their top scorer Jonathas de Jesus suspended for the match, while David Lomban and Jose Angel Alonso are still injured.

Elche sealed survival three weeks previously by winning at Malaga but since then have lost to Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao, losing the latter game 3-2 after being 2-0 up with 10 minutes to go.

And coach Fran Escriba is now hoping to see his side to finish the season on a high.

"We want to win so we can finish the season with good sensations, but without any tension, because we know we are safe," Escriba told a press conference.

"The match doesn't have any importance in terms of points, but we still want to win."