The hosts had the better chances, but Luís Castro felt Levante had done enough to avoid defeat. Antonio Hidalgo believed Deportivo had created the clearer openings and was frustrated they failed to take them.
Nsongo Bil put Deportivo ahead in the 63rd minute after Yeremay’s forward run. Levante kept pushing and equalised in the 82nd minute when Dani Requena’s effort beat Leo Román.
Castro said his team had travelled to Galicia to win and was encouraged by their willingness to take the initiative.
“We came here to win. We won the ball up front, showed personality, kept possession and took a step forward. I think we were the better side when the score was level, and that is what I want. We did not deserve to leave Riazor with a defeat,” the Levante coach said.
Castro praised the defensive work, although he acknowledged that the goal came after a lapse in pressing. He also pointed to the progress of individual players.
“I’m taking positive things from today. There were players who have grown and are getting better all the time,” he said.
Hidalgo believed Deportivo had enough chances to win. He singled out opportunities for Jensen and Adama, while accepting that the misses and late equaliser had proved costly.
“The match was very even. I think we had more chances than them, but we conceded a goal and missed clear opportunities. In the top division, those mistakes are punished,” Hidalgo said.
Hidalgo felt his side had improved on its previous performance at Anoeta, but stressed that progress meant little without wins. He said Deportivo were stronger after the interval and should have protected their lead.
“The first half was very even and both teams struggled to play out. In the second half we were superior and could have scored a second after Nsongo’s goal. We cannot concede that equaliser. In this division, and in any division, it punishes you,” he said.
Marca reported the two coaches’ contrasting assessments after the final whistle. The result came after a second half in which the home side had appeared to have the game under control. Levante’s persistence kept pressure on Deportivo, however, and the equaliser turned a frustrating night for the hosts into a missed opportunity to climb the table. Both managers agreed their teams still had details to correct.
The draw offers Levante encouragement for their late response, while Deportivo will rue the chances that could have secured a home win.