Levante UD closes the preseason with a victory in Auxerre

AJ Auxerre: Leon, El Azzouzi (Matondo, 77’), Sierralta, Akpa, Senaya (Dioussé, 77’), Owusu (Bair, 77’), Danois (Siwe, 69’), Oppegard (Coulibaly, 69’), Casimir (Mensah, 69’), Sinayoko, Osman.

Levante UD: P. Campos, Dela, Elgezabal, R. Brugué (A. J. Morales, 79’), I. Romero (Víctor García, 73’), P. Martínez (Óscar Clemente, 79’), Manu Sánchez (Pampín, 73’), Cabello, Koyalipou (Carlos Espí, 79’), O. Rey (Martin Krug, 89’), Toljan (Lozano, 73’).

Goals:

0-1. Morales (p), min. 83

0-2. Lozano, min. 89

Levante UD concluded the preseason with a victory at the Abbé-Deschamps Stadium in Auxerre. Julián Calero's team had several chances during the first half to take the lead, but the goals came in the final stretch of the match.

The match began with high intensity from both teams. The home side sought the opposing goal in the opening moments, but Levante UD shook off the initial pressure and gained ground. The clearest chances were for Julián Calero's team during this first half. The first came with a cross from the left by Koyalipou that the defense cleared to a corner. From the corner kick taken by Pablo Martínez, the ball almost went into the opposing goal after a shot in the small area, but the home defense ultimately cleared the ball. Shortly after, in the 23rd minute, Levante UD had another clear opportunity with a corner again taken by Pablo Martínez. The header by Elgezabal was cleared by the defense at the last moment.

Levante UD was the team closest to scoring, and their approaches to the opposing area were constant. They almost scored the first goal with a powerful shot by Roger Brugué from outside the area that the home defense cleared to a corner. The corner kick resulted in another corner, and after Pablo Martínez's execution, Iván Romero's shot hit the crossbar. In the final minutes of the first half, the team from Valencia had another chance with a shot by Toljan that the goalkeeper deflected to a corner.

Thus, with Levante UD coming close to scoring on several occasions, the first half ended.

After the restart, the game was more balanced, and both teams struggled to reach the opposing area with clarity. Both coaches made numerous substitutions in their respective teams, seeking fresh legs for their players and taking advantage of the final moments of the preseason to give as many players as possible some minutes on the field. After these substitutions, the scoreboard changed for the first time. It showed 0-1 after a penalty committed on Óscar Clemente that Morales converted into a goal from the penalty spot. Shortly after, the second goal for Levante UD came following a assist from Morales that Lozano sent into the back of the net.

AJ Auxerre had their clearest chance through Dioussé, who sent the ball to the right post of Pablo Campos's goal.

In the end, Levante UD secured the victory, closing the preseason and starting preparations for their first LALIGA EA SPORTS match, which will take place next Saturday, August 16, in Vitoria against Deportivo Alavés.