Levante beat Barcelona to end run in nine-goal thriller

Philippe Coutinho did his best to keep Barcelona’s record intact with a hat-trick of his own, but it was not enough to overcome a Levante side who looked a threat every time they went forward.

Ernesto Valverde’s side were just two away from a perfect season, and having already negotiated the toughest hurdles of Atletico and Real Madrid, the trip to Levante presented little danger on paper. Perhaps that was why Lionel Messi was left out of the squad, to be rested ahead of the World Cup, but it was a decision that will come back to haunt Ernesto Valverde.

There was little sign of things to come in the early exchanges as Barcelona dominated proceedings, before Levante took the lead after nine minutes. Great work from Morales down the left teed up Boateng who fired in off the crossbar from close range. He made it two on the half hour mark after rounding ter Stegen, shrugging off Semedo and smashing home.

Coutinho pulled one back shortly after and the teams returned to the dressing rooms with the score at 2-1. Whatever Paco Lopez said at the break worked wonders on his side.

Within 30 seconds of the restart they had restored their two goal cushion as Bardhi curled home a lovely effort, and they quickly set about increasing their lead. Boateng completed his hat-trick on 49 minutes with a measured finish before Bardhi slammed home another before 11 minutes of the half had been played.

Barca were rocking at this point, facing a monumental task at 5-1 down to get a draw, but to their credit they almost managed it. Coutinho pounced on a loose ball in the box for his second on the hour before smashing home another five minutes later. All of a sudden there were 25 minutes to play and the ‘Blaugrana’ were only two down.

The deficit was reduced to one with 19 minutes to play after Suarez converted a penalty, and memories of of the late comeback away at Sevilla early in the season began to surface. Lionel Messi was on hand to save his side on that occasion, and in his absence there was not to be a repeat.

 

13 May 2018

The noise levels from the crowd grew with every clearance and every passing minute before Ruben Rochina missed a gilt-edged chance to finish the game as the clock ticked over the 90 minute mark. However, it was not to matter as four minutes later time was up and the longest undefeated streak in Spanish football history came to an end.

Levante’s players and staff greeted the final whistle with jubilant celebrations. Their form under Lopez has been nothing short of spectacular as he has taken them away from the relegation zone.

Barcelona’s players looked understandably devastated and this result will no doubt take some of the shine off of their season. This was to be a piece of history that would compensate for the humiliating exit from the Champions League - as it is, their long-suffering fans will have to settle for a domestic double.

 

13 May 2018