Levante last night sunk back to the bottom of division 4 after a 4 – 3 defeat to Udinese in Italy. The final match in a run of three against Italian opposition once again exposed the Spanish clubs frailty at the back. This was the second time in three games that a 2 goal lead had been relinquished.
Last Thursday night the club faced Torino in Turin, and found themselves 2 – 0 and 3 – 1 ahead, before goals in the 76th and 84th minutes earned the home side a draw.
Last night Levante were 3 – 1 up after 50 minutes, although Sebastian Bassong hadn’t helped the cause with a dismissal on for two yellow cards. The first for a foul on Pedro Leon after 24 minutes, and the second on 41 minutes for shouting abuse at the referee.
Parfitt was understandably furious with the Cameroon defender, saying that an international of his quality should be far more professional. He will now miss the next game, and Parfitt has said that there is no guarantee he will walk back into the side on that performance.
Followin Bassong’s red card, Levante extended the lead on 50 minutes through Robert Snodgrass. but goals on ’71, ’75, and ’80 put paid to any hopes of taking any much needed points.
The result sees the pressure firmly on Parfitt after a win and two draws from the three previous league games had given him some breathing space.
The next game is against Feyenoord at the Ciudad de Valencia, before back to back Spanish derby games against Celta Vigo away, and Villareal at home.
Two more new faces have been drafted in to help the fight and bring a bit more South American flair to the side. Brazilian midfielder Diego Souza arrived from Russian club Metalist in exchange for £3.8m and Jose Morales. Souza made his debut last night and had a reasonable game.
Chilean defender Jean Beausejour has also signed from Colo Colo, with £1.3m, David Navarro and Juan Delgado all heading to Santiago in exchange.
Beausejour was in the stands watching last night, but it has been confirmed that he will make his debut in place of Bassong on Sunday night.
Along with the two new senior players, a young English goalkeeper and three young outfield players have come in from the MLS over the last 7 – 10 days. Defender Matt Miazga has arrived from New York Red Bulls, attacking midfielder Dillon Serna has moved from Colorado Rapids, and Jose Villareal, who can play in midfield or up top has moved from LA Galaxy. The goalkeeper is highly retad Daniel Bentley, who joins from Southend.
Although none of them are ready for the first team yet, the club has high hopes that as time goes by, they will become integral members of the first XI.
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