This week’s player to watch: Giuseppe Rossi, Levante
The American-Italian forward is looking to inspire in La Liga with Levante, having had successful spells in previously in Spain, in Serie A in Italy and in England.
Never say die
Rossi joined Levante in the January transfer window. He turned 29 at the beginning of February, and hints of a personal renaissance afoot could be detected quickly. He scored in his first home match, a 3-1 defeat to Sevilla.
A great escape?
More profitably for the club who have taken him on loan from Fiorentina, he scored one and set up another in the 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Getafe. Just ahead of the recent international break, a goal to win the hearts of Levante fans: The only goal of the local derby against Valencia. It earned three valuable points: another three against Sporting Gijon, penultimate in the table, on Monday would draw Levante level with Sporting on 27 points.
United history
The win over Valencia hastened Gary Neville, then the Valencia coach, towards his firing last week. Neville and Rossi used to be colleagues, at Manchester United, who Rossi, born in the United States to an Italian father, joined in his teens. He found the queue for striking places rather long there, but showed he could thrive in English football by scoring on his league debut in 2005.
On the move
There followed a loan spell at Newcastle United, and another at Parma, whom he helped steer clear of relegation. United sold him to Villarreal in 2007, where his career took off, as a goalscorer and a creator. He was struck by a ligament injury, however, in 2011, which took over a year to fully recover from.
Back in action
His first full campaign at Fiorentina after they bought him from Villarreal in January 2013 – he was injured at the time – he was among the goals until another injury struck. Regaining his first place has been a stuttering affair. Hence the move to Levante.
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