Levante winger Kareem Tunde has made his feelings clear ahead of Thursday’s crucial La Liga clash with Sevilla, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Spain-born Barcelona-trained Nigerian speedster has described the encounter as nothing short of a final in the fight to avoid relegation.
With just a handful of matches left in the 2025-26 season, both sides find themselves in deep trouble near the bottom of the table. Sevilla sit 16th with 34 points, while Levante are 19th on 29 points, five adrift of safety. That gap makes this meeting at the Ciutat de València stadium one of the most important games of the campaign for both clubs.
A win for Sevilla would almost secure their top-flight status. For Levante, however, anything less than victory could leave them facing an immediate return to the Segunda División.
Tunde, who has grown into a key player since breaking into the first team in December, says the stakes could not be higher.
“It's the closest game, but for us, every match is a final. The fans' support gives us a huge boost, and we wanted to make the Ciutat de València stadium a fortress, and it's showing,” the young forward said as per ABC.
Levante come into the match with renewed belief after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Getafe, a result that has kept their survival hopes alive after a difficult run during the winter months. Sevilla, by contrast, have struggled for consistency and have faced mounting pressure from supporters following a series of disappointing results.
Yet Tunde insists his side are not giving up.
“In the end, every team goes through streaks, the key is to stay united, to all pull together, and the goal is getting closer and closer. We've always seen staying up as a possibility, but now more than ever.
“There are still quite a few matchdays left, there will be results that go our way and others that don't, but we have to focus on continuing this run.”
Levante will also draw confidence from their earlier meeting this season, when they stunned Sevilla with a dominant 3-0 win away from home. Another victory would significantly close the gap and transform the relegation picture.
Adams vs Tunde: Different roles, same mission
While the spotlight will be on the teams, this match also brings together two Nigerian talents enjoying very different seasons.
Akor Adams has been Sevilla’s main attacking weapon. The powerful striker has scored eight goals in 26 league appearances, often delivering in key moments. His physical presence and ability in the air have made him a constant threat, and his goals have directly helped Sevilla stay just above the relegation zone.
Kareem Tunde, on the other hand, is still finding his feet at senior level. The 20-year-old winger has made 15 appearances, contributing one assist. Though yet to score, his pace, work rate and creativity have made him an important outlet for Levante, especially since the arrival of coach Luís Castro.
Tunde admits he is growing in confidence with each game.
“I'm very happy, to be honest. When a player has consistent playing time, he's always happy. I know the goals will come. Right now, my focus is on the team, on being united with the squad and achieving our objective, and the rest will follow.
“In the end, I gain more confidence with each match. The jump in level is quite big, but thanks to my teammates and the coach, I'm gaining confidence. It's much easier when you have consistent playing time. It's about working day after day, being consistent, and not giving up.”
Despite Adams’ stronger numbers, both players carry the hopes of their teams in different ways; one through goals, the other through energy and belief.
On Thursday night, those qualities will be tested to the limit. For Levante and Sevilla, survival is on the line. And as Tunde has already made clear, there is no room for anything less than a final.
