Barça News

Levante 2-3 Barcelona: Match Review

Published

5 years ago

10/04/2022

Adithya Eshwarla

Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images

Comment

The easiest oppositions on paper often prove to be the most difficult to take down on the pitch. The same case repeated itself when Barcelona took on Levante in La Liga on Sunday night.

With a tight fixture list ahead of him, Xavi Hernandez was expected to rest several key stars. The Spanish manager did exactly that, as he opted to rest Pedri AND Gavi on the night.

In their place, Frenkie de Jong and Nico Gonzalez started in midfield. The other change in the lineup was Dani Alves who returned at right-back.

The first half was a colossal struggle for Barcelona as they failed to maintain possession beyond a few passes. Morales has a brilliant chance in the very first minute but was sloppy with his finish.

The chances kept coming for the hosts as Ter Stegen was frequently called into action in the 5th and 21st minutes. The biggest highlight came halfway through the first half when Eric Garcia made a clearance off the line to keep his side in the game.

Barcelona have not lost any of their last 15 matches in La Liga. pic.twitter.com/h68RKaAhA1
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) April 10, 2022

The first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate but was followed by a wild second period.

Levante were given a penalty in the 50th minute when Alves too down Son in the box. Upon VAR review, the decision stood and Morales emphatically gave his side the lead.

Just two minutes later, the hosts were given yet another penalty as Eric Garcia blocked a goalbound shot with his arm. However, Morales failed to put the ball past Ter Stegen on the second attempt and the score stayed at 1-0.

In the 59th minute, Barcelona equalised through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabonese striker powered a header past a helpless Cardenas from Dembele’s assist and pulled the Catalans right back into the game.

The twists continued as Barcelona went ahead for the first time in the 63rd minute. The youngster came off the bench and took a shot from the penalty spot into the bottom corner past Cardenas. The visitors led 2-1!

With eight minutes to go, Levante were awarded a third spot-kick as Lenglet tackled Gomez in the box. This time, Morales made no mistake and pulled his side back at 2-2.

One could not write a better script as Luuk de Jong scored an emphatic winner for Xavi’s side in the 93rd minute. The Dutch striker came off the bench found himself at the end of a well-timed cross from Jordi Alba and powered past the Levante goalkeeper with seconds to spare.