Swansea City - Levante UD Match Preview

[SwanseaCityWarrior]

Tomorrow at the Liberty Stadium the Swans entertain Spanish La Liga side Levante, kick-off at 3.00pm

Levante currently play in La Liga, which is the Spanish Premier Division, after winning promotion from the Spanish Second Division at the end of the 2005-06 season.

The 2006-07 season was the fourth season the club has played in La Liga, and they ended the season in 15th place. The club was originally formed in 1909 as Levante FC, taking their name from Levante, the name used to refer to the eastern coast of Spain.

It will be a good opportunity for the Swans to test themselves against quality Spanish opposition. Speaking to the Evening post Martinez said:

"Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for us to sell ourselves in Spain and in a huge league like La Liga, there are already people talking about Swansea City out there and that's a big thing as far as selling our club goes. It's something we want to continue and I hope our fans come out to show what a big club we are.

"When the fixtures came out and we were away on the opening day of the season, we really wanted to organise a home friendly because we felt they deserved a chance to see the players before we got into the real business.

"We wanted a big opponent so it would be a big day and I think we've managed that."

"We have made some big name signings in Jason (Scotland), Dorus (De Vries) and Ferrie Bodde so like I said there are already people in different countries such as Spain talking about Swansea City,"

Martinez is predicting a stern test for his players against visitors who finished towards the bottom of the Spanish top flight last season.

Levante's two most recognisable names on these shores, former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert and ex-Leeds defender Ian Harte, are both thought unlikely to make the trip as they are currently out of favour.

Former Rangers striker Shota Arveladze is also expected to miss out after getting injured this week, but Martinez is sure there will be plenty of quality on display.

"The coach, Abel Resino, is a big legend in Spanish football who played for Atletico Madrid and the national side and he is someone I admire," he added.

"I talked to him about playing his reserves, but unfortunately he won't agree!

"They have players like Riga Mustapha, a Dutch Under-21 international, Felix Etienn, who is one of the strongest players you'll see in Europe, and Damiano Tommasi, who played for 10 or 12 years with Roma and went to the World Cup with Italy.

"Then there is Alexis, a very good centre-half who has played for a long time in La Liga, promising young players like Nino and Miquel Robuste and Cavallero, an Argentinian who has also been to the World Cup.

"They are a fantastic team who tactically are one of the top 10 in Spain, so it will be a huge lesson on the pitch for us."

Sunday will also give most Swans fans their first opportunity to see Martinez's new summer signings.

Swans probable: De Vries, Rangel. Tate, Lawrence,Painter, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Anderson, Scotland, Duffy.

Subs: Gueret, Bussy, Robinson, O'Leary, Evans, Craney, Collins, Morgan, Allen, Watt, Austin, MacDonald

[SwanseaCityWarrior]

Andy Robinson and Jason Scotland scored to send a strong pre-season crowd home happy at the Liberty this afternoon as the Swans ended their pre-season with an impressive 2-0 win over Levante.

It was a most impressive performance from the Swans who were in control from start to finish in what was expected to be a tough encounter for them.   Levante arrived expected to give the Swans a stern test ahead of the season opener next weekend but that never materialised as a goal either side of half time gave the Swans victory and in truth they were unlucky not to get more in the Swansea sun.

With several new faces in the starting line up and of course the absence of Lee Trundle - now departed these shores - the pre-season optimism looks justified as Oldham await next weekend when the real action starts.  Solid home debuts from De Vries, Rangel, Bodde, Scotland and Duffy (second home debut!) were all plus points as was the performance of everyone else who seems set to make Roberto's starting line up next weekend under the captaincy of the assured and confident Alan Tate.

De Vries

Rangel     Tatey     Lawrence     M. Painter

Britton     Bodde     Pratley     Robbinson

Duffy     Scotland

In truth there was not a weakness in that line up as we constantly were a thorn in the side of our Spanish opposition and gave them no space whilst creating plenty of our own.  Bodde pretty much controlled the midfield from his holding position giving Pratley the space to get forward - a role he looks far more accustomed to.   With Britton and Robbo a permanent threat on the flanks it was little wonder that Duffy and Scotland were always looking to get on the end of a ball into the box.   And both players had the ball in the back of the net during a first half that the Swans dominated but both goals were disallowed for offside but similarly it's good to remember that both we very well taken as we search for people to replace the goals of Trundle.

But it was Trundle's best mate, Robinson, who gave the Swans the lead just before the interval when he combined well with Duffy and raced clear of the last defenders before slotting confidently home under the keeper.  A half time lead was what the Swans deserved and after two minutes of stoppage time it was what they got.

One became two early in the second half as a quick Robinson free kick found Scotland unmarked and he blasted home his first Liberty goal on his home debut for the Swans, much to the delight of the home faithful.  The game was as good as over and Levante used the time remaining to make several subs as did the Swans which is always enough to change the flow of any pre-season game.

Liverpool Loanee Paul Anderson cam extremley close to making the score 3-0 with a cheeky chip over the levante goalkeeper from 30 yards which struck the crossbar.

Swansea though were always in control and Duffy, Anderson and others all came close to adding to the lead as Levante faded further into the background and the game headed towards its conclusion.  Anderson, Collins, Bussy and others all came on as Roberto ended his summer's work and started his final preparations towards Boundary Park and the mission to get out of League One.

And on this evidence we have a great chance of making that happen.

Regards to http://swanseacity.rivals.net

[Grande]

Nice...good job Jason, we looking out for more

[Sando]

Nice nice....