The air in Valencia crackled with tension on Thursday, November 20, 2025, as Valencia CF and Levante UD faced off—not on the pitch, but in the quiet, candlelit lounge of Mestalla Stadium. Coaches and captains from both clubs gathered for the traditional pre-derby meeting, a ritual as old as the rivalry itself, ahead of Friday’s Derbi del TúriaMestalla Stadium, the most emotionally charged match in the city. This wasn’t just another LaLiga fixture. It was survival. With both teams stuck in the bottom four and Valencia CF winless in their last seven games, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
A City Divided, One Pitch
The Derbi del Túria isn’t just a football match—it’s a citywide reckoning. Valencia CF, founded in 1919, carries the weight of European glory and global recognition. Levante UD, established in 1909, wears its underdog status like armor. Their stadiums are barely five kilometers apart, but their identities couldn’t be more different. Mestalla, with its steep, roaring stands and 50,000 voices, belongs to Valencia CF. Levante’s Estadi Ciutat de València, smaller and more intimate, echoes with a different kind of pride: resilience.For the first time since March 2022, the two clubs meet in LaLiga. Levante’s return from the second division after a two-year absence has reignited old wounds—and fresh hope. The last time they met in the top flight, the match ended 3-1 to Valencia. That was before the drought. Before the losses piled up. Before the fans started wondering if this was the year the club slipped into LaLiga Hypermotion.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The stats tell a story of imbalance. In their last 10 meetings, Valencia CF has averaged 2.3 goals per game. Levante UD? Just 1.5. But here’s the twist: Levante has won only once at Mestalla in their entire history—a 1-0 Copa del Rey shocker back in 1949. That’s 76 years. And still, they come. And still, they believe.Valencia CF’s current form is alarming. Seven matches. Zero wins. Three draws. Four losses. Their €320 million squad, according to Transfermarkt’s October 2025 valuation, looks lost. Meanwhile, Levante UD, valued at just €85 million, has been the more consistent side in recent weeks. They’ve earned points against top-half teams. They’ve shown grit. They’ve shown they belong.
And then there’s Pepelu. The 26-year-old Valencia CF captain, whose voice carried quiet authority during the pre-derby press moment. “It’s a special game for me and for the city,” he said. “We hope it’s going to be a great day. The match will be intense. Levante are a good team and they play very well.” No bravado. No empty promises. Just truth.
Relegation Roulette
With only 15 games left in the season, every point is a lifeline. Both teams sit in the relegation zone—Valencia at 17th, Levante at 18th. A win here could lift one club out of the drop zone. A loss? It could be the death knell for their top-flight hopes. The pressure isn’t just on the players. It’s on the coaches. On the fans. On the city.Valencia CF’s head coach, Corberán, has been under fire since September. His tactics, often criticized as overly cautious, have failed to spark life in a squad that once dreamed of European spots. Levante’s coach—whose name remains unconfirmed in public sources—has quietly built a team that outworks its opponents. No stars. No headlines. Just results.
The prediction from Scores24.live? A 2-2 draw. Both teams to score. It’s the kind of result that satisfies no one but might save both. A draw would leave Valencia with 16 points, Levante with 15. Still dangerous. Still alive. But the momentum? That’s what matters now.
What Comes Next
If Valencia CF loses, the calls for Corberán’s dismissal will grow deafening. If they draw? The pressure won’t vanish—it’ll just shift. To the January transfer window. To the boardroom. To the next match against Real Betis.Levante, on the other hand, would see a draw as a moral victory. A sign they’re not just survivors—they’re contenders. Their next three fixtures after this derby are against Granada, Celta Vigo, and Girona. Three winnable games. But only if they can find the confidence here.
And then there’s the crowd. The 45,000 expected to fill Mestalla on Friday night. The ones who’ve waited three and a half years for this. The ones who’ll sing until their throats are raw. The ones who know this match doesn’t just decide standings—it decides identity.
Historical Echoes
This isn’t the first time Valencia’s two clubs have battled near the drop zone. In 2006, Levante avoided relegation on the final day after a 1-1 draw with Valencia. That match, too, ended in chaos. Fans stormed the pitch. Players wept. The city held its breath for 72 hours.And in 2012, Valencia CF, then in 15th place, won 3-0 at Mestalla against Levante—and went on to finish 10th. The match became a turning point. A spark. A reminder that derbies can change seasons.
Friday’s game might do the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this derby called the Derbi del Túria?
The name comes from the Turia River, which runs through Valencia and physically divides the city. Valencia CF’s traditional fanbase leans toward the western, more affluent districts, while Levante UD draws strong support from the eastern neighborhoods near the riverbed. The derby mirrors this urban divide, making it more than a football match—it’s a cultural fault line.
How has Valencia CF’s performance declined so sharply this season?
Valencia CF has lost key players to injury and transfer, including their top scorer and captain from last season. Their midfield has lacked creativity, and their defense has conceded in the final 15 minutes of matches more than any other LaLiga team this season. Corberán’s conservative approach has stifled their attacking talent, and fan unrest has grown as results fail to match their €320 million squad value.
What’s at stake for Levante UD beyond points?
A win or even a draw could secure Levante’s place in LaLiga for another year, preserving sponsorships, youth academy funding, and local pride. More importantly, it would prove they’re not just a temporary visitor to the top flight. Their €85 million valuation is already rising—this match could be the catalyst for a long-term rebuild, not just a survival mission.
Why hasn’t Levante UD won more at Mestalla?
Historically, Mestalla has been a fortress. Valencia CF has won 27 of the last 34 meetings there. The crowd noise, the pressure, and the psychological edge have consistently favored the home side. Levante’s only win came in 1949—a cup match with a different squad, different rules, and a very different city. Since then, even draws have been rare. This match could be their chance to rewrite history.
How will this match affect future transfers and coaching decisions?
If Valencia CF loses, Corberán’s job is likely over before January. They’ll need to sign at least two attackers and a defensive anchor. For Levante, a strong result could attract interest from bigger clubs looking to buy their young midfielders. Either way, this game will shape the club’s direction for the next two years—whether they rebuild or retreat.
Is there any precedent for a team avoiding relegation after losing seven straight games?
Yes. In 2016, Espanyol lost eight straight LaLiga games before winning their next three, including a 2-1 derby win over Barcelona, to escape relegation. It’s rare—but not impossible. The key is momentum. A win here, even against the odds, could be the spark that reignites Valencia’s season. Or it could be the final blow.
