Levante beat Athletic 3-1 after Laporte’s red card left visitors down to ten

Levante made the most of their rearranged match against Athletic, winning 3-1 and claiming all three points. The Basque side finished with ten men after Laporte’s dismissal, a damaging blow for a team still struggling to find its rhythm under Terzic. Brugué and Eyong helped secure the Granotas’ win, with their effectiveness in attack and defence proving decisive.

The match swung Levante’s way when Brugué scored twice in a spell of about two minutes, before the halfway point of the first period. He reacted sharply to rebounds in front of Unai Simón. Athletic responded after the break: Berenguer scored from the penalty spot following a video review, after Olasagasti fouled Maroan.

Athletic still had more than half an hour to try to level the score. But as the visitors pushed forward, Laporte fouled Requena to stop a counter-attack. The referee showed him a red card. Down to ten, Athletic continued to press for an opening, before substitute Etta Eyong sealed Levante’s win close to the final whistle.

Both sides made changes to their starting line-ups. Levante made four alterations from the side that began its previous match at Riazor: Mandi and Manu Sánchez came into defence, Olasagasti into midfield and Raskov into attack. Terzic also made four changes from the team he had fielded at Mestalla. Yeray and Yuri returned to defence, Jauregizar joined the double pivot and Maroan led the line, with Guruzeta injured and Iñaki Williams on the bench.

Terzic also wanted Hugo Rincón to make regular forward runs down the right, allowing Berenguer and Robert Navarro to move inside while Johaneko stayed wide on the left. Athletic created chances through Hugo Rincón, Berenguer, Johaneko and Robert Navarro. Levante spent more time defending than attacking, but made its opportunities count.

After the match, Castro restated his commitment to Levante’s project and his wish to « help the club stabilise ». The victory gives the Granotas three points, while Athletic leave beaten after ending the match a player down.