figuring out they’d a 100% file at house in La Liga this season (11 wins from 11), and so long as there was no complacency, Hansi Flick’s aspect would make it a spherical dozen victories.
After two terrible outcomes at Atletico Madrid and Girona, a win was a lot wanted to revive some perception, and with Levante having misplaced all 16 of their league matches in Barcelona, the sport regarded an ideal one for the squad to get again to successful methods.
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To not point out that the visiting defence had already conceded 41 objectives – a league excessive – while Barca had scored an astonishing 34 at house, together with 21 unanswered objectives scored after half-time in league play.
In fact, complacency in opposition to Levante is nothing new. Who can overlook the 5-4 defeat that meant the Catalans had been unable to go an entire league season unbeaten below Ernesto Valverde.
The Frogs had additionally scored twice within the final two H2Hs, and that will’ve been a ok motive for Flick to ram house his message earlier than the beginning of this one.
Let’s check out three issues that affected the result…
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Far more prefer it from Cancelo…
Though Levante had been nearly definitely all the time going to be essentially the most accommodating of opponents, that shouldn’t take away from the power of Joao Cancelo’s efficiency at full-back/wing-back.
A keen runner and somebody who was persistently obtainable throughout the recreation, the Portuguese ensured that his direct opponents had a torrid time.
His help for Frenkie de Jong’s objective might have been easy sufficient, however was nonetheless executed with aplomb, as with a lot of his basic play.
Whether or not a right-footed left-back who might be 32 earlier than the top of the season is Barcelona’s most suitable choice is one other dialog fully, although Cancelo has, at the very least, with Sunday’s efficiency, supplied a real alternative for one thing completely different.
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Bernal brings steadiness and calm
The backroom employees should be given credit score for the way in which through which they’ve rationed Marc Bernal’s minutes within the crew.
How typically have we seen gamers previously introduced again too shortly after a critical harm, solely to interrupt down once more of their efforts to get match?
Bernal has been eased again into the primary crew image and now the membership look to be reaping the advantages.
The teenager’s maturity on the ball in central midfield belies his age and lack of expertise. It’s probably not honest on him to be labelled ‘the brand new Busquets,’ nevertheless, he does deliver that very same air of calm and steadiness to the midfield.
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An understated but excellent efficiency, and one which is able to give Hansi Flick some meals for thought.
Lack of killer intuition till Fermin got here on?
Levante’s low block wasn’t a shock, and absolutely Barcelona would’ve been engaged on that in coaching throughout the week.
Till Fermin’s firecracker of a 3rd objective, nevertheless, might one argue that, regardless of the deep defence from the guests, there was a little bit of an absence of killer intuition from the hosts?
Virtually as if Barca knew they had been all the time going to win the sport so didn’t should over exert themselves?
Maybe that’s just a little too harsh and on one other day, the Catalans would’ve racked up six or seven with ease.
Fermin’s contribution once more was notable, as he continues to do all he can to make sure he stays a valued member of the midfield.