Levante defender, Sergio Postigo believes that his former teammate Natxo Insa was such an important player for the team before he joined Malaysian champion, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
They both helped Levante won a promotion to La Liga back in 2017, but Postigo had never thought the 34-year-old midfielder would leave the club at the end of the season.
“It was a good year in every way, both on sporting and human level. Natxo already knows what I thought when he left, he was a very important player for the team,” he said during an online discussion ahead of La Liga match between Villareal and Levante.
Postigo also believes since Insa left the club, Levante have been struggling to perform well as they finished 15th in their first season in La Liga, 15th in the second season, 12th last season and currently 11th this season.
“The team noticed it the following season, it was hard for us to maintain the same level, he would be an important player once again in that season,” he said.
Insa left Levante in the summer of 2017 to join JDT as he obtained Malaysian citizenship through his grandmother, who was born in Sabah.
He won his first cap with Malaysia national team on 22 March 2018 in a 2-2 friendly draw against Mongolia.
Even if it has been four years since Insa left Levante and La Liga, he still remember his time at his former club.
“I remember my time in Levante, we achieved the goal of promotion, with 6 matches to spare, in our stadiums, with our fans, our families all there.
“One of those days I will remember, we had some impressive teammates, both as players and people, we enjoyed it very much.
“From here, I send my greetings to Postigo who continues to show that professionalism he showed when I was there,” he said.
Insa also hopes Levante would do well against the in-form side Villareal in La Liga match tomorrow.
“Levante have more offensive style, Villareal has also changed their style under Emery.
“Previously they had a lot of possession in small spaces, often coming inside, now with Emery the tactical aspect is more important without losing the offensive side,” he said.
Levante will travel to Estadio de La Ceramica to play against Villareal at 9PM in Malaysia time.