Levante UD secures its second preseason victory against Neom SC

Neom SC: Marcin Bulka (Mustafa Malaeka, 46’), Abdulmalik Aloyayri (Mohammed Alburayk, 46’), Ahmed Hegazy (Thamer Alkhaibari, 46’), Mohammed Waleed, Faris Abdi (Alfa Semedo, 46’), Ali Alasmari (Fahad Alharbi, 46’), Amadou Kone, Hassan Alali (Islam Hawsawi, 46’), Mohamed Said Benrahma (Ala Al Hajji, 46’), Alexandre Lacazette (Riyadh Sharahili, 46’), Ahmed Abdu.

Levante UD: P. Campos (Primo, 65’), Dela (Nacho Pérez, 65’), Elgezabal (Martin Krug, 90’), Pampín (Paco Cortés, 65’), Olasa (O. Rey, 46’), P. Martínez (Ó. Clemente, 83’), A. J. Morales (R. Brugué, 46’), Cabello (Kareem, 90’), Víctor García (Toljan, 46’), C. Espí (I. Romero, 46’), Lozano (Víctor Jr., 65’).

Referee: Bejar Caballero.

Goals:

0-1. Paco Cortés, min. 75

0-2. Víctor Jr., min. 87

Levante UD achieved their second consecutive preseason victory against Neom SC at the Pinatar Arena facilities. Despite the numerous chances created by Julián Calero's team during the first half, the goals came in the final stretch of the match through Paco Cortés and Víctor Jr.

The Valencians tested the opposing goalkeeper very early. In the first minute of play, after a corner kick taken by Pablo Martínez, Víctor García collected the rebound outside the area and, from the edge of the box, almost scored the first goal. Marcin Bulka showcased his good reflexes and managed to deflect the ball with his hand to prevent it from entering the net. The Levante players felt strong on the pitch and, ten minutes in, Morales, seeing the opposing goalkeeper off his line, tried to surprise him from his own half. He almost succeeded, but the ball ultimately hit the left post of the opposing goal. Just four minutes later, Lozano also came close to scoring, but the ball again struck the left post.

Julián Calero's team did not relent in their efforts to score and were the protagonists of the chances, although the posts became their worst enemies. Olasa sent the ball to the crossbar, the ball fell to Lozano's feet, and his shot again hit the left post of the opposing goal.

In the final stretch of the first half, Levante UD tried again with a cross from the right by Víctor García that, after Morales' header, was cleared by the defense. Shortly after, Dela headed a corner kick taken by Pablo Martínez, which ended up in the goalkeeper's hands.

After the restart, both teams made changes to their lineups, seeking to give their players more minutes on the pitch. The Levante team continued to approach the opposing goal, looking for the goal that would break the deadlock. They found their reward half an hour into the second half after a cross from Iván Romero that Paco Cortés converted into a goal. The blue and maroon team was not satisfied and wanted more. In the final minutes, high pressure from the Levante players caused Roger Brugué to unsettle and force an error from the opposing defense. Víctor Jr. received the ball at the penalty spot and sent it into the back of the net to make it a definitive 0-2.