Levante UD's season has been marked by a historic comeback towards survival, overcoming sporting, economic, and circumstantial obstacles. With a coach new to the league, Julián Calero, and an inexperienced squad, the club found itself in an extremely competitive season, where up to twelve teams were fighting to avoid relegation with few matchdays remaining.
The fixture calendar effect was a key factor. After a three-year absence, the return to La Liga was challenging, with initial matches against top Spanish teams in European competitions. Levante ended 2026 as the worst home team, with only two points. However, the final stretch of the season presented a series of decisive matches against direct relegation rivals, while other teams had already achieved their objectives.
The sporting directorate, led by Héctor Rodas and José Gila, opted for low-cost signings. One of the most notable acquisitions was Etta Eyong, for whom 3.8 million euros were paid. After a promising start with five goals in seven games, his contribution drastically decreased, including a decisive missed penalty against Celta. His participation in the Africa Cup of Nations also did not help, and he returned to Valencia in low spirits.
Amidst the difficulty, young forward Espí, only 19 years old, emerged as a key figure. Despite being a secondary player in the promotion, he finished the season with eleven goals, being the best under-23 player in terms of goals per game. His performance has placed him on Spain's preliminary World Cup squad, and a stratospheric sale is expected for a club facing a severe economic crisis.
Rodas and Gila's management focused on creativity to compensate for the economic disadvantage, with a debt amounting to 160 million euros. They anticipated the market, seeking players in foreign leagues. In the winter transfer window, while rivals like Valencia or Girona reinforced their squads with established players, Levante signed Paco Cortés, Raghouber, and Tay Abed. The signing of Luis Castro was the culmination of a successful first season for the technical secretariat, revaluing a squad acquired at a bargain price.
Luis Castro, the Portuguese coach, has revolutionized the Spanish league. Despite negative predictions from Nantes president Waldemar Kita, Castro has finished as the revelation coach. The keys to his success include a direct style of football, firm confidence in the youth academy (with players like Espí, Tunde, Cortés, or Nacho Pérez), and an unquestionable 4-3-3 system that has revalued players like Olasagasti and Pablo Martínez.
Levante's survival was also forged through emotional and controversial episodes. Losing five points in stoppage time in the early matches evoked ghosts of the past. An arbitration scandal at Vallecas, where an uncalled handball cost two crucial points, was another critical moment. Furthermore, the two defeats against Valencia, with Cömert's controversial display of a corner flag, generated deep disappointment.
Despite everything, the squad rebelled against the script of fatalism. Since Castro's debut on January 4th, Levante accumulated 32 points, Champions League-worthy numbers, and 28 points in the second half of the season. Five consecutive home victories culminated a historic season, demonstrating the club's strength in the face of adversity.
