Barcelona clashed heads with Levante at Ciutat de Valencia earlier tonight as they looked to secure all three points on their travels. The Catalan giants made a quick start to the game and took the lead in the 25th minute courtesy of Lionel Messi’s goal. Pedri doubled his team’s advantage just nine minutes later when he found the back of the net with a left-footed shot. Barca cruised to a 2-0 lead at the half-time interval.
The home team made a quick start to the second half and scored two quick-fire goals via Gonzalo Melero and José Luis Morales which leveled the scoreline. However, Ousmane Dembele got his name on the scoresheet to give Barca the lead once again. However, Ronald Koeman’s men failed to defend their narrow advantage and conceded a late equaliser in the 83rd minute courtesy of Sergio León’s right-footed finish as the contest ended 3-3 with both teams sharing the spoils.
Let’s take a look at how each Barcelona player performed during the match against Levante.
GK: Marc-André ter Stegen – 6/10
The German keeper made a few solid saves but still ended up conceding three goals tonight which won’t please him.
CB: Ronald Araujo – 7/10
He was solid at the back in the first 45 minutes but had to be taken off at half-time because of injury.
CB: Gerard Pique – 6.5/10
The Spaniard made a couple of crucial interceptions and did well to clear the danger when called into action. However, he will be bitterly disappointing after letting in three goals in the second half.
CB: Clement Lenglet – 6.5/10
The French defensive ace put his body on the line to block some shots from the opposition and won possession back a couple of times for his side.
CDM: Sergio Busquets – 6/10
The Spanish midfield ace struggled to protect his teammates at the back and only made one good chance going forward.
RM: Ousmane Dembele – 8/10
The French winger created several inviting chances for others around him and managed to register a goal and an assist during the game but that still was not enough for Barca to win tonight.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 7/10
De Jong orchestrated quite a few meaningful openings in the Levante half but could have offered a bit more protection for his teammates at the back.
CM: Pedri – 8/10
Pedri did his fair share of defending and was a constant nuisance for the opposition. He scored a good goal in the first half.
LM: Jordi Alba – 6.5/10
Alba made some essential defensive contributions but failed to influence the game in the attacking third.
ST: Antoine Griezmann – 5.5/10
The Frenchman hardly got a sniff at goal during his time on the field.
ST: Lionel Messi – 8.5/10
The Argentine maestro caused all sorts of problems for the Levante centre-backs and did well to score an early goal. However, he probably should have added to his goal tally.
Substitutes:
CB: Sergi Roberto – 5/10
He came off the bench at half-time and conceded three goals in the second half prior to his substitution in the 84th minute.
CB: Oscar Mingueza – 6/10
Mingueza offered a pair of legs for Barca on the defensive end of the field.
ST: Martin Braithwaite – N/A
He hardly had any time to make an impact.
RM: Sergino Dest – N/A
Dest did not get minutes to warrant a rating.
CM: Riqui Puig – N/A
He ran the clock down.
