LIGA – Three penalties conceded but Barça continues against Levante

A small Barça gets out of the Levante trap on the wire (2-3). Long unrecognizable in Ciudad de Valencia, FC Barcelona went through most of the meeting as rarely in recent weeks, drained of all creativity and desire. It took the opening of the logical score of José Luis Morales from the penalty spot (52nd) to witness the awakening of the Blaugrana, scorers twice in four minutes through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (59th) and Pedri (63rd).

Another penalty, converted by Gonzalo Melero (83rd) gave hope to the Granotes, but Luuk de Jong’s helmet shot in added time (90th + 2) saved the Barcelona, ​​back to 12 points from Real Madrid, with a game less. Still relegated, Levante sees the maintenance move further away.

The turning point of the match: Ter Stegen saves a penalty

A candidate for the title in a relegated, we thought the case badly embarked for the Valencians. And yet. A few seconds of play, and already, the tone is set. A completely failed recovery in the axis from Dani Alves almost cost the Blaugrana dearly, cooled from the start by a curling shot from José Luis Morales very close to the right corner (1st). A first action which personified a bland first period for the Catalans, never in the right tempo, camped on a sterile possession, and guilty of many inaccuracies in the opposing camp.

Conversely, Levante immediately ignited the lively stands of the Valencian enclosure. The Granotes created the main chances in the first half, including a memorable breakthrough by Morales, who served the assistance an array of feints and dribbles, until the ball which seemed to slip into the net, before being finally released on the line by Eric Garcia (26th). Three minutes later, it was Roger Marti, the other home scorer, who came close to opening the scoring, without a save from Ronald Araujo (29th). Manager, Barça did not give the impression of being able (nor of wanting) to react, being content to circulate the leather laterally.

Paradoxically, it was just after the first free chance of the Culés, a header from Ferran Torres stopped by Daniel Cardenas (49th), that Barça conceded an avoidable penalty. Guilty of an obstruction of the arm on Son (50th), Dani Alves could only helplessly assist to the perfect counter-foot of Morales (51st). The worst seemed to be over but, again, Eric Garcia was penalized for a hand in the area, following a header from Marti (55th). The striker wanted to take justice into his own hands, but this time Marc-André ter Stegen came out on the right side (56th). All as Pedri and Gavi prepared to take the stage.

Pedri and de Jong: the entrants made the difference

The varnish affixed by the two jewels of the culé club took effect immediately. More incisive, Barça has evolved higher. Two minutes after the entries of Pedri and Gavi, Aubameyang confirmed the good form of the Aubam-Dembélé connection, catapulting with the head a ball deposited by the Frenchman out of reach of Cardenas (59th). Already the 10th achievement in 14 meetings for the Gabonese in the Catalan tunic. Reinvigorated, Barcelona took the lead thanks to their magician. Served at the right tempo by the restless Gavi, Pedri combined his special – hitting the opposite side netting – to give the advantage to Xavi’s men (63rd).

From a winning coaching, the Barcelona coach then went through all the states. When he had just entered, Clément Lenglet offered the locals a third penalty on a set, with a sole on Dani Gomez (82nd). Gonzalo Melero was quick to put Levante up to the Catalans (83rd). The following ? A lively end to the match, where situations and spaces exploded everywhere. A somewhat grotesque situation, Pedri lost a shoe and found himself hooking opposing defenders in socks. An almost comic moment erased a few seconds later by the head of Luuk de Jong, another entrant, so precious in the money-time (90th + 2).

Survivor, Barcelona can thank its entrants, and continue with a seventh victory in a row in La Liga, as well as a 15th match without defeat in all competitions. Stats that flatter, but Levante may have regrets, as the first act of the Granotes was radiant. Still entangled in the red zone (19th, 22 points), the Valencians see the maintenance escape them little by little. Opposite, the Blaugrana provided the essentials, took second place in Seville (2nd, 60 points), and kept a slim hope of stealing the title from Real Madrid.