Atlético is much stronger than last season

Levante manager Luis Castro says Atlético Madrid are significantly stronger than last season both individually and collectively ahead of Saturday's clash.

Levante manager Luis Castro held a pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's 14:00 fixture against Atlético Madrid at the Ciutat de València. Castro praised the opposition, stating that Atlético are much stronger than they were last season, both in terms of individual players and collective organisation. He highlighted that Atlético have managed to retain key players and bring in important signings, which he sees as a sign of improvement. Castro also noted that tactically, Atlético have more solutions and tactical flexibility than in the previous campaign, which he believes is reflected in their strong start to the season.

On Levante's preparations, Castro confirmed that Dela is fully fit and available, while Bardeli is close to returning but not yet ready for selection. He also addressed the issue of fixture congestion, noting that he would prefer more preparation time like other managers but is not commenting further on the matter. Castro mentioned that some players have minor issues but declined to provide specifics, and discussed Etta's gradual return from injury, noting that the striker is gaining more minutes and working well in training.