Levante debuts with just 11 available players

Levante faces its LaLiga debut in extraordinary circumstances of disadvantage. According to Mundo Deportivo, the team managed by Luis Castro has only 12 players registered in the competition 24 hours before facing Espanyol (Sunday, 19:00), a figure that drops to 11 available after the suspension carried over by Roger Brugué from the previous season.

The squad traveling to Barcelona is skeletal. In goal they have Pablo Cuñat; in defense Dela, Jorge Cabello, Víctor García and Tolján; in midfield Olasagasti, Carlos Álvarez, Arriaga and Oriol Rey; and in attack Iván Romero and Etta Eyong.

Four signings left behind

At least four of their reinforcements remained in Valencia: Dani Requena, Hugo Sotelo, Thiago Fernández and Musuayi did not depart with the squad. Xavi Grande also stays, and could leave the club again after being loaned to Portuguese Marítimo last season. The situation worsens as Carlos Álvarez boarded the bus "with a bandage on his right calf and limping slightly," as reported, which suggests more problems ahead for the match.