The Catalans struggled to overcome Levante, but they recover second place in the table.
© AFP
Luuk de Jong (2 from left) scored the winning goal in the 92nd minute.
Fright for FC Barcelona: the Catalans fought to overcome the red lantern Levante 3-2 at the end of an epic scenario Sunday for the 31st day of La Liga, but return to second in the standings, 12 points behind the leader, the Real Madrid, winner of Getafe 2-0 on Saturday.
The Catalans, asleep throughout the first period, were surprised on the return from the locker room by a penalty converted by captain José Luis Morales (52nd) after a foul by Dani Alvés on Son in the box, and came close to the worst with another Roger Marti’s penalty stopped by Marc-André ter Stegen (56th) after a handball from Eric Garcia on a corner…
The Blaugranas managed to reverse the situation in stride thanks to a super ball served left footed by Ousmane Dembélé on the head of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the equalizer (59th), and thanks to the inevitable Pedri, who came into play seven minutes earlier in place of Nico, who took over a ball given back from Gavi (63rd).
Another penalty
But in the 83rd, Gonzalo Melero gave hope to his people, by transforming a new penalty, the third of the match for Levante, after Clément Lenglet clumsily crushed the foot of Dani Gomez in the box a few seconds after his entry into play instead. by Dani Alves.
And the outcome came in added time, in the 92nd minute: Luuk de Jong, who came on in the 84th minute in place of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, converted a ball centered by Jordi Alba with a header to deliver Barça, and bury Levante’s hopes.
Without prestige
An epic success but without prestige for Xavi’s men, who did not show their best face four days before the decisive Europa League quarter-final at the Camp Nou against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday at 9 p.m. (go 1-0 for Eintracht).
Because the scenario could have repeatedly turned against Barça. From the 26th, Morales slalomed in the Catalan defense to offer himself a duel against Ter Stegen… but the German goalkeeper diverted his shot, and Eric Garcia saved the ball on his line.
And three minutes later, it was Ronald Araujo who tackled at the right time to counter a dangerous recovery from Roger Marti (29th).
Seven straight wins
The Catalans thus extend their good series to seven consecutive victories in La Liga. Their last loss dates back more than four months, on December 4 at Camp Nou against Betis Sevilla. And they still have one game less than Real or Sevilla FC, which they will catch on April 24 against Rayo Vallecano.
For Levante, the disillusion is terrible: the red lantern in the classification tied on points (22) with Alavés, glimpsed the possibility of a prestigious victory against the illustrious Barça of Xavi after beating Villarreal of Unai Emery last weekend… but ended up losing, and will still have to fight for the maintenance during the remaining seven days.
The “Granotas” remain seven lengths behind the first non-relegation player, Mallorca, surprise winner of Atlético Madrid on Saturday (1-0).