Levante is preparing for its first Copa del Rey match against Tarancón, a match that promises to be a real challenge for the First Division team. The event, which will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal de Tarancón, becomes an opportunity for the Granota team to seek sensations before their duel against Atlético de Madrid in the second round. Tarancón, who recently drew 1-1 with Villarrubia in the league, face an opponent that plays two categories above them.
Levante, which occupies fourteenth position in the table with ten points, is just two places away from the relegation zone after a 2-1 defeat against Real Sociedad in San Sebastián. The Portuguese coach Luís Castro, who comes to the tournament with the hope of distributing minutes among his less common players, will have Bardeli and Dela absent due to injury and has left aside Ryan, Mandi, Manu Sánchez, Olasa, Rogerr Brugué and Iván Romero. In his place, the coach has called up six players from the reserve team, including Nakoha, who could appear in the starting lineup. The starting lineup is expected to include goalkeeper Pablo Campos, defenders Cabello and Marc Santos, and forwards Musuayi and Paco Cortés.
Tarancón, led by Jorge Cañete, has called on the fans to fill the stands and turn the match into a football festival. The coach described the event as “possibly the most beautiful day we can experience wearing the Tarancón shirt” and highlighted that his team is “very motivated.” Cañete, aware of the difference in category, has appealed to the nature of the cup qualifiers, where “there is always a surprise.” The coach has assured that his team will look for its options during the match, underlining the possibility that the surprise occurs in Tarancón.
The match will be played under the supervision of referee Miguel Sesma of the Rioja Committee. The Municipal Stadium of Tarancón will open its doors at 5:30 p.m. and it is recommended to go on foot, since several surrounding streets will remain closed to traffic during the security device. The City Council and the club have coordinated the preparations to guarantee the development of the match, with special access and circulation measures in the streets near the stadium.
For Levante, the Copa del Rey represents an opportunity to test its less common players and to seek the best sensations before its next clash against Atlético de Madrid. The team will travel by coach on the same day of the match, leaving the sports city in Buñol at 9:30 a.m. and returning at the end of the duel. With Levante looking to avoid defeat and Tarancón eager to spring a surprise, the match promises to be a football spectacle that will bring together fans and players around the excitement of a tie.