Martinez lauds Levante heroics

Levante coach Juan Ignacio Martinez says topping La Liga ahead of illustrious rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid is a remarkable achievement.

The Valencia-based side defeated Real in the early weeks of the season and remain unbeaten after eight rounds of the championship, having racked up six wins and two draws so far.

Levante’s impressive derby victory over regional rivals Villarreal on Sunday saw the club climb to the top of the table, where they sit one point above Real and two clear of Barca.

“We have to be honest about this; none of us imagined it, not even in our wildest dreams,” Martinez told uefa.com.

“We have been trying to win as many points as possible but this marathon run we have been on has been great.”

“We realise that the season is a long one and that difficult times will come so we are just looking to enjoy the moment right now.”

Levante are the oldest side in the Spanish top flight but have one of the smallest budgets in the league, yet they have defied the odds with a stunning start to the campaign.

Martinez, though, believes his side may yet suffer this term.

“We have taken a giant leap but we must still look to go one step at a time,” he warned.

“Look where we are in October and despite that I know it is going to be difficult to gain the points needed for top-flight survival. We are going to suffer.”

“I hope that in May we are living a dream but we have to keep our feet on the ground. Now we have only one objective which is to get to the Christmas period intact. Let us see if we get to that point with a significant amount of points.”

Levante host Real Sociedad in La Liga on Wednesday.