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Five key stats from Levante 2-3 Barcelona

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5 years ago

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Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Barcelona extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to 15 matches as they came back from a goal down to defeat Levante 3-2 on Sunday night.

The Catalans were pegged back by the relegation battlers in the second half through a Jose Luis Morales penalty. They could have doubled their lead soon after if not for Marc-Andre ter Stegen saving a spot-kick from Roger Marti.

Barcelona then mounted a strong fightback as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised in the 59th minute. The Catalans soon took the lead as substitute Pedri found the back of the net. But Levante struck back again, through yet another penalty, with Gonzalo Melero scoring.

However, there was enough time for Barcelona to grab a late winner through Luuk de Jong’s powerful header and bag all three points at Ciutat de Valencia.

Luuk de Jong the difference-maker

Luuk de Jong, like he has done on quite a few occasions already this season, came on from the bench and made the difference for Barcelona. It was his powerful header from Jordi Alba’s cross that won the game for the Catalans.

With his goal, Luuk de Jong took his tally for the season to six goals in La Liga. With those six strikes, the Dutchman has won six points for Barcelona.

Furthermore, five of Luuk de Jong’s six goals in La Liga this season have been headers.

With his strike on Sunday, he went level with club icons Lionel Messi (five in 2014/15) and Luis Suarez (five in 2015/16) for the most headed goals in a single La Liga campaign in the last 15 years.

Dembele developing into Barça’s creative spearhead

Ousmane Dembele continued his good form in the second half of the season with another crucial contribution for Barcelona. The Frenchman helped start the comeback for the Blaugrana as he assisted Aubameyang’s equaliser with a fine cross from the right-wing.

It was his 11th assist of the 2021/22 La Liga campaign. Dembele’s tally of nine assists in 2022 is the highest in the top five European Leagues, along with Lionel Messi for PSG.

Barcelona’s aerial prowess in front of the goal

For a team that is not exactly renowned for their physicality and aerial threat, Barcelona are racking up impressive numbers in front of goal through headers.

Indeed, two of Barça’s three goals on Sunday night against Levante came from headed efforts. They have now scored 15+ headed goals in La Liga, which has happened just for the second time since 2010.

The previous occasion came in the 2014/15 season during which Lionel Messi scored the most headed strikes (5), with Luuk de Jong managing the same number in the ongoing campaign.

Gavi shining bright

Gavi is enjoying a dream campaign for Barcelona. The 17-year-old has been a huge hit since breaking into the first-team setup this term and made a vital contribution on Sunday again, as he set Pedri up for the second goal minutes after coming onto the bench.

With that, Gavi took his tally for the season to six assists in La Liga. The La Masia academy graduate is the only player in the last 15 Liga seasons to provide 5+ assists before turning 18.

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