CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Levante UD |
| League | La Liga |
| Manager | Luís Castro |
| Stadium | Ciutat de València |
| Nickname | Los Granotes |
| Founded | 1909 |
| First-Choice Centre-Back | Aïssa Mandi |
| Centre-Back Partner | Adrián de la Fuente |
| First-Choice Left-Back | Manu Sánchez |
| First-Choice Right-Back | Jeremy Toljan |
| Academy Prospect | Ifeanyi Ndukwe |
| Notable Absence | Unai Elgezabal (peripheral role) |
The Defining Moment
Levante’s defensive story in 2026/27 is defined by a contradiction that has become the club’s defining characteristic. Luís Castro’s side have conceded 19 goals in ten league matches, a rate of 1.90 per game that ranks among the worst in La Liga. They have faced more shots per match than any other side in the division—16.0 on average—and their expected goals against per match of 2.00 is the highest in Spain. By every defensive metric, Levante are a team that invites pressure, concedes chances, and relies on their goalkeeper to keep them in matches.
And yet, they sit fourteenth in the table with ten points, having beaten Real Betis 5-2 and held Sevilla to a 3-3 draw. The defence that looks so fragile on paper has, at times, been resilient enough to support a survival bid. The defining moment came not in a clean sheet, but in the recognition that Levante’s backline is a study in pragmatism—a group of experienced professionals and young prospects assembled on a limited budget, tasked with the simple objective of keeping the club in the division.
The summer brought significant change. Aïssa Mandi, the 34-year-old Algerian international, arrived from Lille to provide leadership and experience. Jeremy Toljan, the German right-back, joined from Sassuolo. Manu Sánchez returned to La Liga from Celta Vigo. Around them, a supporting cast of academy graduates and low-cost signings—Adrián de la Fuente, Jorge Cabello, Ifeanyi Ndukwe—have been asked to contribute beyond their years.
This is the story of Levante’s 2026/27 defenders: a veteran captain anchoring a youthful backline, a German full-back seeking stability, a left-back rebuilding his career, and a collection of prospects learning on the job in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues.
Tactical Context
Luís Castro’s defensive system is built on pragmatism rather than ideology. Levante have alternated between a 4-1-4-1 and a 4-2-3-1, with the full-backs instructed to defend first and the centre-back pairing asked to hold a relatively deep line. The approach is not revolutionary; it is a survival mechanism for a club with limited resources and a squad that lacks proven top-flight quality.
The numbers reflect a defence that is overwhelmed rather than incompetent. Levante face 16.0 shots per match, the most in La Liga, and 5.2 of those are on target. The volume of chances conceded is a reflection of a midfield that struggles to control possession—Levante average just 42.7% possession, the third-lowest in the division—and a defensive structure that is often stretched by the quality of opposition.
The centre-back pairing has been fluid. Mandi, the most experienced defender in the squad, has been the constant, his reading of the game and positional discipline compensating for a lack of pace. His partner has varied: Adrián de la Fuente, the 27-year-old signed from Villarreal B, has started regularly, while Jorge Cabello and the teenage Ifeanyi Ndukwe have provided cover.
The full-backs have been more stable. Toljan, the 32-year-old German, has been the first-choice right-back, bringing Bundesliga and Serie A experience to a young squad. On the left, Manu Sánchez has been a reliable presence, his La Liga experience with Celta Vigo proving valuable in a relegation battle.
The structural issue is depth and quality. Beyond the first-choice back four, Levante’s options are raw. Ndukwe, at 18, is a prospect learning on the job. Cabello, at 22, has made the step up from the academy. The veterans—Unai Elgezabal, Diego Pampín—have been peripheral figures. In a season where every point matters, the drop-off from starter to backup is a risk that Castro cannot afford to test.
The Defenders
Aïssa Mandi
Mandi is Levante’s first-choice centre-back, the captain, and the most experienced defender in the squad. The 34-year-old Algerian international arrived from Lille in the summer of 2026 and has been the anchor of a backline that has struggled for consistency.
His profile is that of the seasoned, positionally intelligent defender. At 186 cm, Mandi is not the most physically imposing centre-back, nor the quickest. But his reading of the game is exceptional. He anticipates danger, positions himself to intercept passes, and organises those around him with the authority of a player who has spent over a decade in top-flight football. His experience at Real Betis, Villarreal, and Lille has prepared him for the pressures of a relegation battle.
The context of his arrival matters. Mandi was signed as a free agent after his contract at Lille expired, a pragmatic addition for a club with limited financial resources. At 34, he is not a long-term solution, but he is exactly what Levante needed: a leader, a communicator, and a defender who understands the demands of La Liga.
The concern is pace. Against the league’s quicker forwards—the Barcelona front line, the Athletic Club wingers—Mandi’s lack of mobility has been exposed. In a deep block, those limitations are mitigated. Against teams that attack with speed and movement, the exposure is real.
Adrián de la Fuente
De la Fuente is Mandi’s most frequent partner at the heart of the defence. The 27-year-old Spaniard arrived from Villarreal B in the summer of 2026 and has been a reliable presence alongside the veteran.
His profile is that of the developing, physical centre-back. At 180 cm, De la Fuente is not the tallest defender, but his strength in the duel and his willingness to engage attackers make him a valuable complement to Mandi’s more cerebral approach. He is not yet the finished article—his positioning can be erratic, his distribution occasionally rushed—but he has handled the step up to La Liga with maturity.
The context of his arrival matters. De la Fuente spent years in Villarreal’s academy system, learning his trade in the lower divisions. The move to Levante offered a chance to establish himself in the top flight, and he has seized it. At 27, he is in his prime, and his partnership with Mandi has the makings of a solid foundation.
Jeremy Toljan
Toljan is Levante’s first-choice right-back, the German defender whose experience in the Bundesliga and Serie A has made him a valuable addition to a young squad. The 32-year-old arrived from Sassuolo in the summer of 2026.
His profile is that of the reliable, defensively solid full-back. Toljan is not the most attacking full-back in the league—he does not bomb forward relentlessly or deliver a stream of crosses—but he understands his role within Castro’s system. He defends the right channel, tracks runners, and provides an outlet on the counter. His experience of playing against some of Europe’s best forwards has prepared him for the challenges of La Liga.
The context of his arrival matters. Toljan spent years as a squad player at Borussia Dortmund and Sassuolo, never quite establishing himself as a first-choice starter. The move to Levante offered regular football and the chance to prove himself in a different league. At 32, he is not a long-term investment, but he is a reliable one.
Manu Sánchez
Sánchez is Levante’s first-choice left-back, a player rebuilding his career after a difficult spell at Celta Vigo. The 26-year-old arrived in the summer of 2026.
His profile is that of the modern, attacking full-back. Sánchez is comfortable in possession, capable of delivering crosses and playing incisive passes, and his natural inclination is to push forward and support the attack. In a team that often struggles to create chances, his willingness to contribute in the final third is valuable. Defensively, he is competent rather than exceptional, but in a system that prioritises collective organisation, his attributes are well-suited.
The context of his season matters. Sánchez spent years at Celta Vigo, where he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. The move to Levante offered a fresh start and the chance to play regular football in La Liga. At 26, he is in his prime, and his performances have reflected a player determined to make the most of his opportunity.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe
Ndukwe is the academy prospect, the 18-year-old centre-back who has been included in Levante’s first-team squad and represents the future of the position. At 198 cm, he is a towering presence, and his physical attributes have marked him as one of the club’s most promising young defenders.
He is not yet ready for consistent first-team minutes—his lack of experience has been exposed in brief appearances—but his presence in the squad reflects Levante’s commitment to developing homegrown talent. At 18, he has time to develop. The challenge for Castro is to manage his integration carefully, protecting him from the pressures of a relegation battle while finding opportunities for him to learn and grow.
Jorge Cabello and the Supporting Cast
Cabello, a 22-year-old academy graduate, has provided cover at centre-back. Víctor García, a 29-year-old right-back, has made limited appearances. Unai Elgezabal, the 33-year-old veteran, has been a peripheral figure, his experience valuable in training but his on-pitch role minimal.
Their roles are clear: emergency cover, training-ground presence, and dressing-room experience. None is likely to force his way into Castro’s first-choice XI, but their presence provides depth in a long season.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Levante UD Defender La Liga Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aïssa Mandi | — | — | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Adrián de la Fuente | — | — | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Jeremy Toljan | — | — | 0 | 0 | RB |
| Manu Sánchez | — | — | 0 | 0 | LB |
| Ifeanyi Ndukwe | — | — | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Jorge Cabello | — | — | 0 | 0 | CB |
TABLE B: Levante UD Defensive Unit – Key Metrics (2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Conceded (La Liga) | 19 | 1.90 per game; among worst in division |
| Clean Sheets | 2 | 20% of matches |
| Shots Faced per Match | 16.0 | Most in La Liga |
| xG Against per Match | 2.00 | Highest in La Liga |
| Possession Average | 42.7% | Third-lowest in La Liga |
TABLE C: Defender Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aïssa Mandi | Algeria | Lille, Real Betis, Villarreal | Experienced organiser, positional reader, leader |
| Adrián de la Fuente | Spain | Villarreal B | Physical CB, developing, duel specialist |
| Jeremy Toljan | Germany | Sassuolo, Borussia Dortmund | Reliable full-back, defensively solid, experienced |
| Manu Sánchez | Spain | Celta Vigo | Attacking left-back, comfortable in possession |
| Ifeanyi Ndukwe | England | Liverpool (academy) | Tall, athletic, developing prospect |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Levante’s defensive unit is a study in pragmatism over pedigree. Individually, there is not a defender in the backline who would command a significant fee in the transfer market. Mandi is 34, signed on a free transfer. Toljan and Sánchez are experienced journeymen. De la Fuente is a late bloomer from Villarreal’s B team. Ndukwe is a teenager with potential but no proven track record.
Yet collectively, they have produced a defence that, while porous, has been sufficient to support a survival bid. The 5-2 victory over Real Betis demonstrated what the backline is capable of when the team performs as a unit. The 3-3 draw with Sevilla showed resilience. The defeats to Barcelona, Villarreal, and Espanyol exposed the fragility that remains beneath the surface.
The contrast with last season is minimal. Levante conceded 56 goals in 36 league matches in 2025/26, and their defensive record this season—19 goals in 10 matches—suggests a similar trajectory. The structural issues that have plagued the club for years—a lack of investment, a reliance on free transfers and loans, a squad that lacks proven top-flight quality—have not been fully addressed.
The risk is depth. If Mandi or De la Fuente suffers an injury, Levante have few proven alternatives. Ndukwe is raw. Cabello is unproven. The veterans are peripheral. In a season where survival is the objective, the defence’s durability will be tested.
The Verdict from the Camp
Luís Castro, Levante manager, on the defensive challenges:
Castro has consistently emphasised the collective over the individual, acknowledging that Levante’s defensive record reflects the quality of opposition and the limitations of a squad built on a modest budget. The Portuguese manager has praised Mandi’s leadership and the resilience of his young defenders, but has also acknowledged that the team must improve if they are to survive.
ScoutingStats.AI, on Levante’s defensive profile:
“Levante face 16.0 shots per match, the most in La Liga, and their xG against per match of 2.00 is the highest in the division. Their PPDA of 14.4 is the third-highest in the league, reflecting a side that does not press aggressively and instead defends in a deep block.”
Statistical analysis, on the defensive record:
Levante’s 19 goals conceded in 10 matches represents a rate of 1.90 per game, a figure that ranks among the worst defensive records in La Liga. Their two clean sheets—against Osasuna and Málaga—are a reflection of a unit that can be organised and disciplined when the game state allows, but that struggles against the division’s elite.
Where Next?
Levante’s defensive priority is survival. The backline must find a way to concede fewer chances, or the club’s stay in La Liga will be brief. Mandi’s experience and leadership are invaluable, but he cannot carry the burden alone. De la Fuente must continue his development, Toljan and Sánchez must provide stability on the flanks, and the young prospects—Ndukwe, Cabello—must be ready when called upon.
The January window may offer an opportunity to add defensive reinforcements, but Levante’s financial constraints are well-documented. A loan signing or a free transfer may be the extent of the club’s business. The priority is integration and improvement, not acquisition.
The longer-term question is the futures of the young defenders. Ndukwe has the physical attributes to become a top-level centre-back, but he needs time and coaching. Cabello must prove he can make the step up. The academy pathway is there, but La Liga is an unforgiving classroom.
For now, Levante’s defenders are a reflection of the club’s broader circumstances: pragmatic, resourceful, and reliant on experience and collective organisation. The numbers may not be pretty, but the points on the board are enough to keep them above the relegation zone. In a season where survival is the only objective, that is enough.
