on 26 october 2011, during round nine of the season, levante defeated real sociedad 3–2 to move top of the table with 23 points. it was the first time in the club's history it reached the highest ranking in the top division. in the process, it recorded seven-straight wins after drawing its first two games. the club eventually finished in sixth position after defeating athletic bilbao 3–0 at home in its last match, thus qualifying for the uefa europa league for the first time in its history.