Barcelona responded to recent setbacks with a dominant 3-0 victory over Levante at the Camp Nou, reclaiming top spot in La Liga. Goals from Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López highlighted a composed and authoritative display as Hansi Flick’s side capitalised on Real Madrid’s slip in the title race.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona returned to the Camp Nou sitting second in the league table after a two-week span that had shaken their momentum. Consecutive defeats against Atlético Madrid and Girona had stalled their progress, and the visit of Levante presented the perfect opportunity to respond. The visitors arrived in difficult circumstances, battling relegation and winless in their previous four fixtures. There was, however, a silver lining for the Blaugrana. Osasuna’s 2-1 victory over Real Madrid on Saturday night, sealed by a penalty from Budimir and a dramatic winner from Raúl García at the 90th minute, handed Barcelona a clear incentive. A win against Levante would send them back to the top of La Liga.
Following the setback against Girona, Flick introduced three changes while maintaining his preferred 4-2-3-1 structure. João Cancelo returned to the starting eleven, while Pau Cubarsí, the sole goal scorer from the Girona game, was rested, allowing Gerard Martín to feature as the left-footed centre-back. Alejandro Balde endured a second consecutive match on the bench, a clear indication that the young Spanish full-back is experiencing a dip in form. Jules Koundé and Eric García retained their positions at right back and right centre-back, respectively. Marc Bernal was introduced in place of Fermín López, partnering Frenkie de Jong in the double pivot, with the Dutchman once again wearing the captain’s armband. Dani Olmo operated in his preferred role as an attacking midfielder, marking his 8th consecutive start for the Catalan club. It is his longest uninterrupted run in the starting eleven since joining Barcelona in the summer of 2024, surpassing his previous best streak of 6 consecutive starts last season, achieved on two separate occasions. On the flanks, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal will provide width and creativity, while Robert Lewandowski replaced the out-of-form Ferran Torres to spearhead the attack and challenge Levante’s anticipated deep defensive block. Luis Castro, meanwhile, set Levante up in a compact 4-1-4-1 formation, aiming to congest the midfield and frustrate Barcelona’s rhythm, forcing the hosts to break down a disciplined and defensively organised unit.
Referee Javier Alberola Rojas signalled the start of proceedings, and Levante showed immediate intent. Within the opening minute, Carlos Álvarez was played through on goal in a one-on-one situation, but his effort was struck straight at Joan García, who stood firm to deny the early breakthrough. Barcelona responded swiftly. João Cancelo surged to the byline before delivering a cross towards the back post, where Jules Koundé connected but sent his effort wide of the crossbar. The warning signs were clear, and in the 4th minute the hosts capitalised. Marc Bernal opened the scoring after latching onto a precise grounded pass from Eric García on the left side. The youngster calmly finished to hand the Blaugrana a 1-0 lead. It was Barcelona’s fastest goal of the La Liga season, momentarily lifting them to the top of the table.
Four minutes later, Barça nearly doubled their advantage. A sluggish back pass from Alan Matturro was intercepted by Raphinha, whose shot was saved by Mathew Ryan. The rebound fell kindly to Robert Lewandowski, but the Polish striker astonishingly lifted his attempt over the woodwork. The pressure continued. In the 11th minute, Koundé burst down the right flank and whipped in a vicious cross into the penalty area. Raphinha rose above his marker but directed his header off target. Levante managed to relieve the mounting pressure in the 15th minute when Iván Romero threaded a delicate pass into the path of Olasagasti, only for Joan García to once again rise to the occasion and palm away the close-range effort. Five minutes later, Kareem Tunde became the first player booked after pulling back Raphinha in midfield. Lamine Yamal then collected a pass from captain Frenkie de Jong just outside the eighteen-yard box and attempted a left-footed curler, but the effort drifted into the stands. Cancelo continued to torment Levante down the left. One of his dangerous deliveries narrowly evaded Lewandowski and struck the base of the right-hand post, inches away from becoming Barcelona’s second goal.
That second goal eventually arrived in the 32nd minute. Cancelo produced an exquisite cross from the left wing, which was met by a sliding Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman guided the ball beyond Mathew Ryan to register his first league goal of the season, giving Barcelona a deserved 2-0 cushion. Cancelo was in dazzling form; his deliveries are nothing short of precise and relentless. The Portuguese full-back was unquestionably the standout performer of the first half.
Levante carved out a rare opportunity in the 37th minute when Tunde attempted a long-range strike from nearly thirty yards, but the effort flashed inches wide of Joan García’s right post. Moments later, Lamine Yamal received the ball at the edge of the box and sent a dangerous delivery towards the far post, which narrowly missed creeping inside the upright. In the 43rd minute, Iván Romero went to ground following a push from Lamine Yamal. Levante’s striker received medical attention, while sections of the Camp Nou crowd voiced their frustration, believing the contact was minimal. Romero eventually returned to his feet as the fourth official indicated three minutes of added time. Before the interval, Gerard Martín was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Iván Romero. Levante players appealed for a red card, but Alberola Rojas remained unmoved. Barcelona entered half-time firmly in control, having registered nine shots in total, three of them on target, and holding a commanding two-goal advantage.
Levante made the first move before the restart, with Luis Castro withdrawing right winger Víctor García and introducing Paco Cortés in an attempt to add fresh impetus. Despite the change, it was Barcelona who resumed control of proceedings at the 50-minute mark. Jules Koundé delivered a dangerous cross from the right flank that forced Mathew Ryan to tip the ball over the crossbar. Moments later, Raphinha surged down the left and lifted a cross towards the far post, but Manuel Sánchez reacted well to clear the danger.
Barcelona continued to press with intent. Robert Lewandowski received the ball on the turn, drove forward into acres of space and opted to test Ryan from distance, only for the Australian goalkeeper to gather comfortably. Five minutes later, Lamine Yamal threaded a precise pass into Dani Olmo, whose powerful 20-yard strike was smothered by Ryan. The Blaugrana were relentless, edging ever closer to a third goal that would effectively seal the contest. In the 56th minute, Marc Bernal entered the referee’s book for a late and careless challenge on Olasagasti in midfield. Shortly after, Alan Matturro produced an excellent interception to deny Raphinha from close range following a move that once again involved Lewandowski in the build-up.
Hansi Flick responded with a triple substitution. Dani Olmo was replaced by Fermín López, while Lewandowski made way for Ferran Torres in a like-for-like change. The third adjustment appeared precautionary, as Pedri came on for the booked Marc Bernal. It marked Pedri’s first appearance in a month, his previous outing having come on the 21st of January against Slavia Praha in the UEFA Champions League. By the 69th minute, Barcelona had registered 15 shots, five of them on target, compared to Levante’s four attempts with two on goal. Around the same time, Levante carved out an opportunity when Paco Cortés was played through down the right channel, but the substitute slipped at the crucial moment and fired into the side netting. Luis Castro soon made two further changes, withdrawing the already booked Kareem Tunde for Tay Abed, while Iván Romero was replaced by Etta Eyong.
Barcelona won a corner in the 76th minute, which was cleared only as far as Fermín López. His 20-yard strike deflected off Olasagasti and flew inches wide of the left post. Five minutes later, however, Fermín produced a moment of pure brilliance. After a neat lay off from Lamine Yamal, the midfielder unleashed a stunning 25-yard strike with his weaker foot. The ball thundered into the top right corner after kissing the post, leaving Mathew Ryan with no chance. Remarkably, the effort carried an expected goal value of just 0.02. This marked the 5th La Liga goal of the season for the La Masia midfielder and his 11th in all competitions, while Lamine registered his 9th league assist.
Levante made their penultimate change by introducing Iker Losada for Carlos Álvarez. Shortly after, Flick completed his substitutions. Ronald Araújo replaced Gerard Martín, with Frenkie de Jong handing the captain’s armband to the Uruguayan defender. Lamine Yamal made way for the 20-year-old Swede Roony Bardghji, and Castro utilised his final change by bringing on Nacho Pérez at right back for Jeremy Toljan. Both sides had now exhausted their five substitutions. Just before the 90-minute mark, Mathew Ryan once again demonstrated his quality with a remarkable double save. He first denied Raphinha from close range, and when the rebound fell to Fermín López, the Australian reacted swiftly to block the follow-up effort. Three minutes of stoppage time were indicated, but there was little further drama.
At the final whistle from Javier Alberola Rojas, the Camp Nou erupted in celebration. Barcelona reclaimed top spot in the league from Real Madrid, with all three midfielders, Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López, finding the net. Levante posed occasional threats through swift counterattacks but finished with five shots, two on target, and an expected goals tally of 0.53. Barcelona, in contrast, recorded 22 attempts with nine on target, underlining both their dominance and Matt Ryan’s outstanding performance for Levante. João Cancelo was deservedly named MVP, combining a decisive assist with constant attacking menace and contributing to a clean sheet.
Levante remain 19th in the table and will host Deportivo Alavés, currently 12th, next weekend. Barcelona, meanwhile, prepare for a crucial run of fixtures. They welcome an in-form Villarreal, who sit third, sandwiched between the two Madrid clubs, before facing a monumental challenge in the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Atlético de Madrid, having suffered a 4-0 defeat in the first leg at the Metropolitano. Hansi Flick will be eager to have a fully fit squad at his disposal for that decisive encounter. With only Jofre Torrents and Andreas Christensen currently sidelined, there is encouraging news on the injury front, as both Gavi and Marcus Rashford have returned to team training and are steadily regaining match fitness following their involvement ahead of the Levante clash
