Valencia vs Levante: Five things you may not know about the Valencian derby
Valencia’s rivalry with Levante may be a relatively modern one, but it grows stronger with each passing year.
Levante’s player Emmanuel Boateng (L) vies for the ball with Valencia’s French defender Mouctar Diakhaby (R) during the Primera Division soccer match between Levante and Valencia held at Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, 02 September 2018. EPA-EFE/Juan Carlos Cardenas
Take a look at five interesting aspects of this fixture and why this derby is so unique.
- Levante are actually older than their more famed rivals
Although Valencia use the name of the city, Levante are actually the older institution. They were founded in their original form in 1909, 10 years before Valencia came to into being. Valencia will celebrate their centenary this year, while Levante are already well into their second century of life.
- Fittingly, Levante were the first guests at the Mestalla
Valencia’s home ground, Mestalla, is the oldest stadium among all the current top-flight clubs in Spain, opened on May 20th, 1923. The rivals that day? City rivals Levante. Valencia won 1-0, setting the tone for the future dynamic of this derby.
- Their first league meeting was relatively recent
Although both clubs were formed within the first 20 years of the 20th century and played a friendly to christen the Mestalla, they didn’t actually meet in official LaLiga competition until the 1963/64 season. That season was Levante first in the top division after decades of existence in the lower leagues. Although they lost this first league meeting with Valencia at Mestalla by a 5-3 scoreline, they won the return game at their own ground 1-0 to settle the scores.
- Mista and the ghost goal
The 2004/05 season derby conjured up controversy for the ages. Valencia won the match 2-1, but their second goal never actually crossed the line. Striker Miguel Angel Ferrer Martinez, better known as Mista, struck a powerful shot against the crossbar; the ball bounced on the goal line and away. The referee awarded the goal and Valencia went on to win the game in controversial fashion.
- Both coaches played for the opposite club
Valencia and Levante coaches Marcelino and Paco López actually both spent time at the opposite club during their playing careers. Marcelino spent two years at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia towards the end of career, while López came through the Valencia academy and played for the B team, today known as Valencia Mestalla CF, before moving elsewhere and returning years later for a brief stint coaching in Los Che’s academy on his way to the Levante dugout.
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