Levante coach Luis Castro admitted that the team gave up on the quality of Real Sociedad after the 2‑1 defeat at the Bernabéu. In an interview given to the local press, Castro explained that it was not a matter of fatigue, but rather that the rival showed a very successful level of play and without significant errors when releasing the ball.
According to Castro, Levante managed to recover more balls in the first half and generated several opportunities, but Real Sociedad knew how to take advantage of them with precision. “The 1‑1 was marked by a lack of precision by Thiago that went into the air, and the 2‑1 was produced by an error identical to the 1‑0,” he noted. “We knew that we could not open the spaces where Real Sociedad is very competent, and with the changes in the second half we were unable to improve the situation.” The coach admitted that perhaps he should have made different substitutions to try to change the course of the match.
Castro also praised the figure of Oyarzabal, who according to him was a differential factor in Real Sociedad's victory. “Oyarzabal is a player who, when he is at his best level, greatly complicates the opponent's game,” he stated. “Real Sociedad has an identity to win and, when they play to defend, they are closer to losing.” The coach highlighted that Levante generated chances and reached the area, but that the opposing team had more opportunities and proved to be one of the best in LaLiga.
Regarding the injury time controversy, Castro remained reserved and did not want to go into details. “I can't talk about that,” he commented, leaving the discussion to the media. Furthermore, the coach acknowledged that he did not have the courage to introduce Marc Santos, a young player who according to him could have changed the game. “I thought that Marc Santos should have come in because of how the game was going, but I didn't have the opportunity to do so,” he concluded.
With the defeat, Levante remains in the relegation zone of the table, while Real Sociedad consolidates itself at the top of the table. Levante's next match will be against Real Betis, where the coach will try to reverse the trend and look for the necessary comeback to get out of the relegation zone.