ALAVÉS 2-LEVANTE 2 | Joselu keeps hope

Two teams with worrying trajectories faced each other in Mendizorroza. That of Alavés more since the permanence in the year of its Centennial is being played and that of Levante, less serious but it was also complicated since he had four defeats in a row. He had 38 points and that, theoretically, was enough to save the season. Now, at 39, all the more reason. The people from Vitoria were looking for victory but, as the game started, the draw is not so bad.

Calleja opted for Duarte, Pons and Rioja to the detriment of Martín, Edgar and Lucas. The most incisive footballer of the Albiazules in the first half was Luis Rioja but, in general, he gave the feeling that he proposed a more retentive than creative scheme. In Levante, absence of Roger Martí, double pivot with Malsa and Melero and, again, the commitment to the young Alejandro Cantero, who had made his debut last week against Celta in Vigo.

The first part was a real roller coaster. The first 20 were quite flat with a more intense Alavés and a Levante that enjoyed the main occasions. Dani Gómez was about to make it 0-1, but he found an inspired Pacheco who knew how to clear his shot. The one who advanced to the babazorros, goal 600 in the history of the club in First, was Pere Pons. Great move by Luis Rioja, error by Róber Pier and blow from the Catalan.

But Commander Morales turned the score around with two high-quality goals. The first in 36 placing the ball near the squad and the second, after Lejeune's measurement failure, crossing before Pacheco's half exit. From 0-1 and 34 points to cold sweats after two geniuses of the main reference in Levante. And it all happened in just five minutes. The Calleja players went to the locker room with faces of disbelief. By the way, there was a three-minute discount because the hydration break so common in the resumption of the 2019-20 season returned.

The second half, which lasted 55 minutes, was played in the Levante field. The changes of Paco López tended to close the game while Calleja looked for dynamite with the incorporations of Lucas, Edgar, Pellistri or Deyverson. Precisely, from the latter came the pass that Joselu headed to the net in 87. It was with uncertainty because it was not very clear if the ball had entered completely or not. The VAR validated it. Joselu himself was able to do a couple of more goals, but he found the Levante goalkeeper, who made a meritorious crash. It also sent a clear chance to the clouds. The visiting team tried to hurt the counter and had a chance too, but the match ended in a draw. There is still a lot to row. For the Levante not so much, it is even possible that it has already reached port.