Luís Castro Reflects on Levante’s Narrow Defeat to Villarreal

omidbasir- Luís Castro, the coach of Levante, reflected on the team’s 0-1 defeat at home against Villarreal, managed by Marcelino.

**Frustration with the Result:** Castro expressed his frustration primarily regarding the outcome rather than the team’s performance. He noted, “If we had played all night, we still wouldn’t have scored. Villarreal is a high-quality team, very strong in transition, which led to their goal. We demonstrated patience in the first half, but when we attacked quickly, we suffered the consequences. After conceding, the team reacted well, but despite our efforts, the ball just wouldn’t go in. Scoring at that point would have been miraculous.”

**Engaging with the Fans:** He shared his thoughts candidly, stating, “We lost, but the players gave their all until the end. We finished with attempts in the opposing area. While Villarreal played intelligently given the match’s difficulty, I believe our team has shown commitment to the club. If anyone suggests we didn’t give 100%, I disagree. We may have lost, but we deserved more.”

**Changes in the Line-up:** Castro mentioned that some lineup changes were merit-based, particularly praising Olasa for his consistent performances. “With Pablo’s injury and Arriaga’s suspension, adjustments were made quickly, but I was confident in the players selected to perform well. If we look at the performances of Paco Cortés or Espí, they were outstanding. I still believe it was the best formation for this match.”

**Pressure to Score:** He acknowledged the anxiety around scoring, especially against a team like Villarreal. “They pressed early, and while we held our ground, they knew what they wanted. In a match like this, spaces open up, and you can be hurt. Upon reviewing the game, we had several opportunities to score, and I cannot fault my players.”

**Message to the Team:** Looking ahead, Castro emphasized the importance of their next match against Barcelona, stating, “We must treat it like a final. Losses often come down to details, and we need to improve in that aspect. I did not see Villarreal as a superior team today.”

**Substitution of Etta Eyong:** In response to questions regarding Etta Eyong’s substitution, Castro clarified, “If this was the reason, then why did he enter the match? Out of respect for Espí, it is worth noting that Etta was on the bench for tactical reasons. Had I not counted on him, he wouldn’t have played. The club has supported our needs, and Espí deserved the start today.”

**Paco Cortés’s Performance:** He praised Paco Cortés, who had been training well in recent weeks, stating, “He performed excellently against Elche and Atletico, and he deserved more minutes. Pablo’s injury created opportunities in the squad, and Paco played exceptionally well. He deserved a goal, but the goalkeeper made a fantastic save. I’m very pleased with him as a player for the future.”

**Kervin Arriaga’s Suspension:** Addressing Arriaga’s suspension, Castro remarked, “I won’t comment further. He made a mistake, but it wasn’t a grave matter. We must respect the referees, but no one was seriously harmed.”

**Quality Concerns:** Regarding the quality of play, Castro expressed optimism, saying, “The players are working diligently. I spoke with a Villarreal player who acknowledged our good play, but I reminded him that we haven’t won yet. When a team is struggling, unfortunate events can occur, as seen with our recent match against Valencia. It’s not solely about the players’ quality. If we keep working hard, results will follow, and I believe we possess the capability to compete effectively. Today, I leave with the impression that we have a team capable of challenging anyone.”

**Players Not at Their Best:** Castro concluded by discussing player performance levels, stating, “These are interesting points. I’ve observed the games, and I haven’t seen strong performances consistently. Etta and Ivan started well, but before the Africa Cup, their form dipped. We need to identify how to bring out Etta’s best version, particularly since he had notable contributions earlier in the season. We must find the reasons for this decline.”