After getting off to the right begin to La Liga towards Mallorca final weekend, Barcelona proceed their journey on the highway as they lock horns with Levante tonight away from dwelling.
The hosts, enjoying within the prime division for the primary time for the reason that 2021/22 season, began off their marketing campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Deportivo Alaves on Matchday 1 after conceding a 92nd-minute winner.
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Tonight, they face a way more stern check as they tackle Barcelona, the perfect group in Spain in the meanwhile, and a aspect that may proceed to have the favourites tag firmly labelled on them as soon as extra.
The important thing goal for Hansi Flick and Co. will probably be to maintain the momentum going, proceed to develop synergy and supply minutes to the brand new signings for adaptation.
After Flick’s disappointment within the group’s attacking output within the final sport, nevertheless, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how ruthless the Catalans will be on the Ciutat de Valencia in the event that they get again into their typical goalscoring boots.
Barça Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Levante vs Barcelona.
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A surprisingly difficult venue
Levante haven’t been within the Spanish prime flight for 3 seasons now and have been frequently relegated to the decrease division and promoted again up over the previous 20 years.
Whereas they’ve largely been a struggling aspect within the prime division, they haven’t failed in troubled Barcelona of their conferences. In truth, the Catalans’ away report towards them is given their common battle with relegation.
Barcelona and Levante have performed six instances on the Ciutat de Valencia since 2018 throughout each La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
They confronted off twice on the venue within the 2018 calendar 12 months, of which Levante got here out on prime as soon as, successful by a 5-4 margin in a historic outcome.
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Their luck towards Barcelona at dwelling solely continued as they then went on to beat the Blaugrana by a 2-1 margin within the cup early in 2019 earlier than taking them down within the league by a 3-1 margin ten months later.
When the 2 groups met in 2021, they performed out a 3-3 draw after a late Sergio Leon equaliser for the hosts. Taking part in precisely a 12 months later, nevertheless, Barcelona acquired their first win over the group shortly with a slender 3-2 margin.
The aforementioned numbers make it clear that the Ciutat de Valencia has not been a cheerful looking floor for the Catalans in current match-ups, and Flick will undoubtedly have the report on his radar as one to vary tonight.
Midfield rotation anticipated
In line for a beginning alternative. (Photograph by Paul Miller/Getty Photos)
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Whereas it might seem counterintuitive to vary a successful mixture simply after the primary sport of the season, Hansi Flick is planning on doing precisely that when Barcelona tackle Levante later this week.
The change he has in thoughts is within the attacking midfield place – one the place Fermin Lopez began towards Osasuna however won’t proceed because the starter this weekend.
Certainly, the supervisor is contemplating handing the beginning on the evening to supply the Spaniard with an opportunity to show his price and make a case that he can discover his greatest model.
Flick’s choice will not be ruled by both gamers’ efficiency, neither is it determined primarily based on his pecking order within the division.
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The manoeuvre is barely being deliberate to convey to each stars that they may every have their moments this season, they usually should develop a wholesome competitors.
To this point in his tenure on the membership, Flick’s man administration has been spot-on, and his choice to advertise an inner competitors can solely do the group a world of fine amid a busy calendar because the season progresses.
Having each Fermin and Olmo match and firing, thus, turns into key, and the latter will look to take advantage of his probability as he’s poised to start out on Saturday. An enormous alternative awaits him, and he’ll look to show up the warmth.
Eyes on Araujo
Mallorca taking place to 9 males meant that Barcelona had been largely untested final weekend, particularly in defence, the place the hosts merely couldn’t put any stress.
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But, Ronald Araujo’s efficiency was one which got here underneath some scrutiny for his pointless aggression, rash challenges and relative rustiness along with his distribution.
Flick’s choice to decide on Araujo over Andreas Christensen final weekend exhibits that he intends to assist the Uruguayan get well his greatest model. The participant, thus, will probably proceed as a starter tonight, however he will probably be conscious that the clock is ticking down quick.
With each passing day, the stress on Araujo grows, and until he can step up and show that he deserves a spot within the beginning lineup, he might properly lose it to Christensen at any level this season.
The sport towards Levante, thus, is essential for the defender’s confidence, adaptation and impression as he’ll look to dispel any doubts over his match. The focus will shine vibrant on him as soon as extra, and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how he turns up.