Barcelona welcomed Levante to Camp Nou on Sunday knowing that three points would see them return to the top of La Liga.
The hosts dominated the first 45 minutes, but could not break through a stern Levante defence.
Barcelona did open the scoring early in the second period, however, with Marc Bartra finding the back of the net from close range, before Neymar added a second six minutes later.
A Lionel Messi penalty made it 3-0 Barcelona just past the hour, but Levante had a consolation in the 66th minute when Victor Casadesus converted from close range.
Messi had another chance to score from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time, but the Argentine fired his effort over the crossbar. The 28-year-old was not to be denied, however, and added his second in the final minute of action.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Levante. The Catalan outfit have been knocked off the top of the table following results on Saturday, but would return to the summit with all three points here. Levante, on the other hand, are still looking for their first league win of the new campaign. Let's hope for an entertaining game here!
Right, we are still waiting on the team news for Levante, but Barcelona have their XI in...
TEAMS:
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Bartra, Adriano; Busquets, Rakitic, Munir; Sandro, Messi, Neymar
LEVANTE: To follow
So there we have it. Very interesting team selection from Luis Enrique, who has made plenty of changes ahead of their clash with in-form Celta Vigo next week. Dani Alves is back in at right-back after recovering from injury, while Marc Bartra and Adriano are also selected at the back. It appears that Munir El-Haddadi will play in a withdrawn midfield role, while Sandro Ramirez is also given a spot in the team. Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez are among the substitutes for the hosts this evening. Very top-heavy side!
To be blunt, the omens are not great for Levante tonight. They have lost on each of their 10 La Liga visits to this particular stadium – conceding an average of 3.8 goals per game. Barcelona won both league meetings last season 5-0, while Levante's heaviest ever top-flight defeat also came at Camp Nou back in August 2013, when they were thumped 7-0. It does not sound great does it!
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UPDATED TEAMS:
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Bartra, Adriano; Busquets, Rakitic, Munir; Sandro, Messi, Neymar
LEVANTE: Ruben; Ivan, Tono, Trujillo, Feddal, Juanfran; Camarasa, Verza, Lerma; Roger, Ghilas
So there we have it. Levante have generously given us their team news and there are not many surprises. It is once again a 5-3-2 formation, with Roger Marti picked to start in the final third alongside Nabil Ghilas. There is also a spot in the XI for on-loan 20-year-old Jefferson Lerma.
As touched upon, Barcelona are the overwhelming favourites this evening and the statistics point to a home win. Dating back to last season, the Catalan outfit are unbeaten in 17 league games – keeping 11 clean sheets in the process. There is no question that Luis Enrique improved them at the back last season.
Barcelona were actually beaten by Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup at the start of the season, but got their revenge in the league on August 23, when they won 1-0 at San Mames. They then recorded the same scoreline against Malaga one week later to move onto six points, before coming from behind to beat Atletico Madrid last time out. That was a really big result, even at this stage.
Lionel Messi started the Atletico clash on the bench, but as is often the case, still had the final say as he netted their winner in a 2-1 victory. That moved Luis Enrique's side onto nine points and sent out a message in the early part of the campaign. Barcelona were also in Champions League action during the week and they picked up a point in a 1-1 draw away to Roma, which will be considered a good result.
Barcelona entered Week Four top of La Liga, but have since dropped to fourth following other results this weekend. Real Madrid currently sit top after beating Granada, while Celta Vigo, who won at Sevilla earlier this afternoon, are second. Atletico Madrid then sit third following their 2-0 win at Eibar.
In terms of what is to come for Barcelona, they will make the trip to Celta Vigo on Wednesday evening, before welcoming newly-promoted Las Palmas next weekend. Then comes a home Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen, before they travel to Sevilla at the start of next month.
As expected, Barcelona's home form in the league last season was very strong – winning 16 of their 19 games, but they did lose to both Malaga and Celta Vigo in this stadium. They were also very strong on the road, where they won 14 times and only lost twice. Defensively, meanwhile, they had the best record in the league having only conceded 21 times in 38 games, which was 17 fewer than Real Madrid.
As for Levante, they have collected two points from their first three leagues of the season. They opened their campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to Celta Vigo and have since drawn back-to-back games against Las Palmas and Sevilla. While this is a really tough game for Levante, they face Eibar and Getafe in their next two – fixtures they will certainly be expected to take something from.
The 2014-15 campaign was fairly disappointing for the Valencia-based team, who finished 14th in the table on 37 points, just two points outside of the relegation zone. Six of their nine wins arrived on their own patch, but they really struggled to score goals – netting just 34 times in their 38 matches.
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The players are heading out to the pitch to warm up #fcblive pic.twitter.com/ihVlLeSmWa
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 20, 2015
Incredibly, Levante actually finished sixth in La Liga in the 2011-12 season, but they have since finished 11th, 10th and 14th in their last three campaigns. They are currently in their sixth straight season in Spain's top flight, meanwhile, having last dropped out of the league in 2008.
Levante are also closing on an unwanted record. If Lucas Alcaraz's side fail to find the back of the net in this game, they will equal their longest ever away La Liga drought of four games, which was set in 1964. They have taken some hidings off Barcelona in recent games – conceding 15 in their last three against the Catalan side – but have scored in three of their last five against the Spanish giants.
It was not exactly the busiest of summer windows for Levante, but they did spend more than £1m acquiring Deyverson from Belenenses. Angel Trujillo and Diego Mariano are also among those that arrived, while Loukas Vyntra, Pape Diop and Mohamed Sissoko were all allowed to leave on free transfers.
PREDICTION! It will be very interesting to see what formation Barcelona play this evening, but whatever happens, I am confident that the home side will record all three points. Barcelona 3-0 Levante.
Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes at Camp Nou. Is it Munir in midfield? I shall bring you up-to-speed when it becomes clear. One thing is for certain, Levante are going to need a five-star performance and a lot of luck if they are to secure a positive result here.
KICK OFF! The home supporters have turned up this evening expecting to see a very comfortable victory for their team. Here we go then - it is the visitors that get the first 45 minutes underway...
... it appears that Munir and Neymar will play wide of Sandro this evening, with Messi operating in the number 10 position. Only two obvious midfield players in the Barcelona XI for this game.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening stages of this match. Just a reminder that Levante are playing five at the back, which is an indiction of their approach.
It is almost a 4-2-4 formation for Barcelona and it will be very interesting to see how Levante deal with the movement of those in the final third. Good work from Sandro wins the first corner of the match, but the visitors manage to clear their lines. Levante must resist the early pressure here.
For once, Messi's first touch is not there as the Argentine fails to collect a super through pass from Alves, who had looked for his skipper inside the Levante box. All one-way traffic early on tonight.
Messi combines with Sandro before delivering a low cross towards the far post, but the Argentine had just moved into an offside position. Nonetheless, Messi's cross was too strong for Munir on the right.
Never mind back five for Levante, this is a back seven at the moment as they continue to face wave after wave of Barcelona pressure. Mascherano and Bartra have cigars in hand in a defensive area.
Ghilas is the lone forward for Levante at the moment and he simply has not had a touch of the ball. It is all Barcelona pressure, but the home side have not created an opportunity of note thus far.
Barcelona continue to lay the foundations as they pass and probe in the final third of the field, but a couple of offside calls have allowed Levante to take a breather, which is important at this stage. You sense that a breakaway goal for the visitors would make this a better game for the neutral fan.
Barcelona have been a little sloppy with their final pass thus far, as Alves fails to find Neymar, who had slipped his full-back. Nothing much has changed in terms of the play - Barcelona are still utterly dominating the possession, with Levante putting almost all of their outfield players behind the ball.
SAVE! Good goalkeeping from Ruben as the Levante stopper denies Messi, who had poked one towards the bottom corner following a scramble inside the penalty box. Still goalless at Camp Nou.
Levante's first shot comes from Verza, but his low effort was never troubling Ter Stegen.
Barcelona have a free kick in a dangerous area as Marti fells Neymar...
... Messi pulls rank, but his effort lands on the top of the goal. Close, but it was always too high.
It is decent work from Ghilas as the Levante forward gets his team up the field with a strong run down the right. Well, it is a case of so far, so good for the visitors. Still goalless with 20 minutes on the clock.
Much better from Levante in the last couple of moments as Tono breaks past Alves before delivering, but there are no takers inside the Barcelona box. Juanfran then dives in to deny Munir with a super challenge. Levante's confidence is growing, but a low Neymar effort worries their back four again.
Messi and Neymar attempt to find the tightest of spaces inside the Levante box, but there are too many yellow shirts in attendance and the danger is cleared once again. It is quite frustrating for the home side at the moment as Levante continue to defend their lines. Still goalless in Barcelona.
Still all Barcelona as they look for an opening in the final third, but Levante are doing a very good job of closing the space. It is making for a not very pretty game, but Levante must do what they need to!
CHANCE! Super chance for Levante to open the scoring as a quick counter ends with Ghilas finding space inside the Barcelona box, but his final effort is wild! Should have done much better there!
SAVE! Down the other end, Munir forces his way into the Levante box, but Ruben gets down to smother the attacker's shot, which was not too convincing. Much livelier game at the moment.
Bartra is next to come close for the home side, but after meeting a free kick from a wide area, his header flies over the crossbar. Levante have been guilty of conceding a number of free kicks here.
Ghilas is living on the final Barcelona defender at the moment and a couple of balls over the top have exploited the lack of pace that the home side have in central defence. Still goalless at Camp Nou.
Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment and that is credit to the away side, who have made this an ugly game, which is very much a compliment. I still expect Barcelona to go on and claim all three points, but they are struggling to find that final pass as things stand this evening.
SAVE! Again it is a smart save from Ruben as the Levante stopper keeps out a stinging drive from Messi, before Sandro fires the rebound wide of the post. Good save, but no more than that.
Luis Enrique is cutting a frustrated figure on the sidelines at the moment, which is not much of a surprise. His team have not really clicked in the first period, but credit must be given to Levante.
Neymar has a shooting chance outside the Levante box, but once again there is a yellow shirt right in his face and the block is made. Levante are just not allowing any space for Barcelona here.
Decent header from Messi as the Argentine rises at the far post, but his effort was always over.
Still all one-way traffic at Camp Nou, with Barca in control, but the final pass is still escaping them. Levante will be very pleased to get in at the break on level terms, but they are not quite there.
BOOKING! Verza (Levante) is booked for pulling Messi to the ground. Free kick...
... Messi again pulls rank over Neymar, but the Argentine's effort is too high.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-0 Levante
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Levante holding Barcelona to a goalless draw at Camp Nou. The home side have dominated the contest, but clear chances have been at a premium, with Levante's five-man defence and midfield protection working thus far tonight.
STATISTICS! Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession with 73%, while they have had 13 attempts - three of which have been on target. As for Levante, they have had two attempts off target thus far. Just the one yellow to report, meanwhile, with Verza in the book for an obvious tug on Messi.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona have an embarrassment of riches on their bench this evening, with the likes of Iniesta, Suarez and Alba all capable of making a difference. Levante, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Casadesus, Garcia and Deyverson. Will we see any changes at the break?
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players rejoin us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Barcelona overcome this stern Levante side? The hosts get the second period underway here...
... no changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that Luis Enrique will already have some alterations in mind. Suarez and Iniesta should feature.
As expected, Barcelona are in control of the possession in the early stages of the second period, with Levante dropping deep and defending the space. Can the visitors actually cause a big shock here?
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Levante (Bartra)
Not many people would have had Bartra as first goalscorer here, but the centre-back has sent Barcelona ahead. A super cross from Messi finds the Spaniard at the far post and he controls on his chest before sliding his effort into the bottom corner. Excellent composure shown by Bartra there!
Nice moment during the celebrations as Bartra holds up Rafinha's shirt. The Brazilian international will miss the remainder of the season after picking up a serious knee injury against Roma.
CHANCE! Neymar has the chance to make it 2-0 Barcelona after meeting a super through ball from Rakitic, but the Brazilian can only poke wide under serious pressure from Ruben.
Bartra shows his value down the other end as the centre-back blocks a goal-bound effort from Ghilas, who has looked the most likely for the away side here. Plenty happening at Camp Nou.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Levante (Neymar)
There is a serious touch of fortune about the goal, but Barcelona have their second. A mistake from Ruben presents the ball to Neymar and after hitting the defender with his first effort, he finds a way of squeezing the ball home from close range. Poor defending from Levante, but the hosts will not mind.
Ter Stegen makes his first save of the evening to stop a long-range strike from Marti.
Levante just cannot get out of their own half as the pressure continues from the home side, who will fancy their chances of scoring a couple more this evening. Little over 30 minutes remaining here.
PENALTY BARCELONA!
Barcelona are awarded a penalty as Trujillo brings Neymar to the ground inside the box.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Levante (Messi, pen)
Barcelona have their third as Messi finds the top of the net with a powerful penalty.
BARCELONA SUB! Gumbau replaces Busquets in the Barcelona midfield.
LEVANTE SUB! Levante also make a change as Ghilas is replaced by Casadesus.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Munir thinks that he has sent Barcelona 4-0 ahead after meeting a Messi pass and finding the back of the net, but the offside flag is raised. Levante are in big bother here!
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Levante (Casadesus)
Now then! Levante have their goal as a poor Ter Stegen punch falls to the feet of Casadesus, who has the simple task of converting from close range. Pretty poor goalkeeping from the German there.
LEVANTE SUB! Deyverson replaces Marti for the visitors.
You will see from the amount of bold that this half has been much more eventful than the first, which was not great for long spells. Ter Stegen takes a couple of high balls to boost his confidence here.
In fairness to Levante they have not given up here as Lerma heads over the crossbar following good work from Verza. Since they went 3-0 down, the visitors have been all guns blazing in Barcelona!
Camarasa, fresh from his goal, strikes another one from distance, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. I think Ter Stegen was recently beaten from distance wasn't he? Ask Florenzi!
PENALTY BARCELONA!
Barcelona have another penalty as Feddal pulls Messi to the ground inside the box. Terrible from the defender, who was wrong side of the Argentine and simply hauled him to the ground.
MISS! Messi fires his spot kick over the crossbar!
Barcelona will surely go on to win this game, but that will be massively disappointing for Messi, whose recent record from the penalty spot is actually quite poor. No good the Argentine is he!
Barcelona want another penalty as Rakitic goes down inside the box under a challenge from two defenders, but this time, the referee is not interested. It was clumsy from Juanfran, but Rakitic did throw himself to the ground, which probably did not help. Crazy game at the moment here!
LEVANTE SUB! Ruben Garcia replaces Camarasa in Levante's third change.
You sense that there might be a couple more goals in this match as Barcelona continue to move the ball in the final third. It has been a very entertaining second half and Levante have contributed.
Levante are playing their part in this second period as the visitors continue to commit players forward, but not too much is happening in terms of clear chances. There is a Mexican Wave in the crowd!
It does not seem likely that we will see either Suarez or Iniesta this evening, which is good news for Levante, but bad news for Celta Vigo, who welcome Barcelona in the week. Still 3-1 here.
Barcelona are heading back to the top of the table this evening - moving above Celta, Villarreal, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, who also all won this weekend. Not too much to report as we enter the final minute here, with Barcelona more than happy to keep possession of the ball in the Levante half.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Levante (Messi)
Messi makes it 4-1 Barcelona as the Argentine drives to the edge of the box before dancing past two challenges and placing one into the bottom corner. He made it look so very easy there.
Deyverson goes for glory outside the Barcelona box, but Ter Stegen makes the save.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 4-1 Levante
So there we have it. Lionel Messi scores twice as Barcelona return to the top of La Liga with a 4-1 win over Levante. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
