Levante beat Leganés 2-1 in closed-door preseason friendly at Buñol
Levante beat Leganés 2-1 in a closed-door preseason friendly at Ciudad Deportiva de Buñol, with Carlos Espí and Martín Krug on target as the visitors showed control despite limited sharpness.
Match summary and key moments
Levante beat Leganés in a tightly contested preseason match that was played behind closed doors in Buñol. The Valencia side controlled possession for long periods but created few clear chances, converting the decisive opportunities to secure a 2-1 win.
The hosts moved the ball patiently and dominated territorial play, yet the overall pace remained subdued, reflecting the early stage of preparation. Leganés offered occasional resistance and improved after the restart, producing the equaliser prior to Levante regaining the lead in stoppage time.
Both teams made extensive changes at the interval, which disrupted any developing rhythm and turned the second half into a test of depth rather than an all-out tactical battle. The match finished with Levante reclaiming momentum late on and closing the game from a set-piece situation.
Espí opens the scoring, Krug nets late winner
Carlos Espí gave Levante the lead in the first half, finishing off the move that provided the game’s opening goal. The strike remained Levante’s clearest moment of the first 45 minutes and stood out amid a match that otherwise lacked cutting edge.
Leganés responded in the second half when Raúl López levelled the scoreline, injecting belief into the visiting squad and prompting a period of more committed pressing. The equaliser arrived well into the second half, setting the stage for a decisive finale.
In the final moments, Martín Krug produced the winner from a corner in stoppage time to make it 2-1 and confirm Levante’s victory. The late goal underlined the value of concentration on set pieces and provided a morale boost for the Valencia side as they continue preseason work.
Bardeli makes debut as coaches rotate squads
The interval brought near wholesale personnel changes for both teams, reflecting coaches’ willingness to test options and manage workloads. One of the most notable appearances was the debut of Enzo Bardeli, who entered the contest after the break and completed his first minutes in Levante colours.
Leganés manager Rubén Alvés used the changes to probe different combinations and to find the balance that will be required when competitive fixtures resume. The adjustments helped the Madrid side lift their intensity in the second period and create a handful of threats that had been absent earlier.
Levante coach Luís Castro also used the opportunity to evaluate fringe players and younger pros, handing minutes to several squad members who will be important over the long preseason. The match thus served as both a physical conditioning exercise and a selection window for technical staff.
Tactical themes and fitness impression
The game offered a clear picture of two teams still shaping their identity ahead of the season, with fitness and cohesion taking precedence over fluid attacking play. Levante’s ball retention and territorial dominance were prominent, but the visitors’ compact defensive shape limited clear-cut chances.
A low tempo and occasional sloppiness reflected the limited number of collective training sessions completed to date, yet the fixture allowed both staffs to assess pressing triggers and set-piece routines. Levante’s late winner from a corner highlighted the progress made on dead-ball situations, an area often emphasised in early preparations.
Defensively, both sides showed moments of organisation, but individual timing and understanding were not yet fully synchronised, a common trait in preseason matches. The coaching teams will seek to translate the positives—possession control for Levante and resilience for Leganés—into greater attacking productivity in subsequent friendlies.
Lineups, substitutions and personnel notes
Levante started with a line-up featuring Pablo Campos in goal and a rearguard that included Dela, Brugué and Olasagasti. Midfield responsibilities were shared by Cabello and Espí, while Toljan, Tunde, Cortés and Edgar Alcañíz provided width and forward options.
The bench supplied a long list of players who saw action, among them Arraiga, Marc Santos, Dani Martín, Xavi Grande and Enzo Bardeli, giving coach Luís Castro a broad look at his squad. Martín Krug, who would later score the match-winner, was one of the substitutes to make an impact after returning to the field.
Leganés opened with Raúl Fernández in goal and a backline including Marvel, I. Miquel and Dani Rodríguez, supported by a midfield featuring Naim, Melero and Guirao. The visitors rotated heavily after the break, with Raúl López coming on to score the equaliser and other players such as Javi Hernández and Millán earning minutes.
Both coaching staffs used the match to distribute workload and to observe players returning from summer breaks or integrating into new tactical setups. The extensive substitutions ensured most squad members picked up valuable game time and allowed staff to monitor conditioning levels across the roster.
What the result means for Levante’s preseason objectives
The victory provides Levante with a confidence-boosting result as they continue to prepare for the competitive calendar. Winning in a match that tested squad depth gives the coaching staff concrete evidence that several players can contribute effectively in game situations.
Levante’s control of possession and late set-piece execution will be viewed positively by Luís Castro, who has the short-term task of improving sharpness and long-term project of shaping a competitive side. The match also underlined areas requiring attention, including finishing intensity and transitional speed.
For Leganés, the performance contained encouraging signs, particularly in the second half when they equalised and briefly put Levante under pressure. Rubén Alvés will have taken some positives from the response to halftime changes, alongside notes for where cohesion must improve ahead of their own preseason schedule.
The closed-door setting limited external variables and allowed both staffs to focus exclusively on internal objectives, a useful environment for early-stage evaluation. As preparations continue, both clubs will prioritise increasing intensity while protecting players’ fitness levels through measured minutes.
Levante leave Buñol with a 2-1 win and several tactical takeaways to build on as they move deeper into preseason competition.
