Barcelona reclaimed the top spot in La Liga on Sunday with a decisive 3-0 victory over Levante at the Spotify Camp Nou. A dominant performance saw goals from Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, and Fermin Lopez secure the win, but it was the revitalized form of Joao Cancelo that particularly impressed manager Hansi Flick. The win puts Barcelona back atop the league table, capitalizing on opportunities presented by their rivals.
The match showcased Barcelona’s attacking prowess and defensive solidity, with several players delivering standout performances. Cancelo, in his second spell with the club, was a constant threat down the right flank, providing both defensive stability and attacking impetus. The victory is particularly significant as Barcelona navigate a challenging period under new management, seeking to establish consistency and reclaim their dominance in Spanish football.
Here’s a seem at how each Barcelona player performed, with ratings reflecting their impact on the match:
Goalkeepers
Joan Garcia – 6.5: The goalkeeper made a couple of important saves, contributing to a clean sheet.
Defenders
Jules Kounde – 7: A much-improved performance from the Frenchman, looking comfortable throughout the match.
Eric Garcia – 7.5: A standout in defense, Garcia assisted Bernal’s early goal and proved immovable at the back.
Gerard Martin – 6.5: Struggled at times but contributed to the overall clean sheet.
Midfielders
Joao Cancelo – 8: A sublime performance from Cancelo, who has quickly re-established himself as a key player for Barcelona. He was solid defensively, dangerous in attack, and provided the assist for de Jong’s goal. According to LaLiga’s official player page, Cancelo’s versatility is proving invaluable to Flick’s tactical setup.
Frenkie de Jong – 7.5: Bounced back from a previous underwhelming performance, controlling the midfield battle and adding a rare goal to his contribution.
Marc Bernal – 7.5: An impressive performance from the young midfielder, who opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Bernal, born May 26, 2007, is a rising star for Barcelona, having signed a contract to keep him at the club until 2026, as reported by Wikipedia.
Dani Olmo – 6: Failed to craft the desired impact and was substituted early in the second half.
Forwards
Lamine Yamal – 6.5: Levante effectively shut down Yamal, although he still managed to secure an assist for Fermin’s late goal.
Raphinha – 6.5: A relatively quiet game for the Brazilian, struggling to impose himself despite linking up well with Cancelo.
Robert Lewandowski – 6: Lewandowski didn’t find much luck in front of goal despite showing glimpses of his usual threat.
Substitutes
Pedri – 6: An accomplished performance on his return after a month out with a hamstring injury.
Fermin Lopez – 7: A lively cameo from Lopez, capped off with a well-taken goal for Barcelona’s third.
Ferran Torres – 6: Tried to get on the scoresheet but was unsuccessful.
Ronald Araujo – N/A: Came on after the third goal was scored.
Roony Bardghji – N/A: Little time to make an impact.
Image via Pedro Salado/Getty Images
The victory for Barcelona is a significant boost as they continue to compete at the top of La Liga. The performance of Joao Cancelo, in particular, highlights his importance to Hansi Flick’s plans. The team’s ability to secure a clean sheet and distribute goals across the squad demonstrates a growing sense of cohesion and tactical flexibility.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will need to maintain this level of performance as they face a challenging run of fixtures. The continued development of young talents like Marc Bernal will be crucial, as will the consistency of key players like Frenkie de Jong and the revitalized Joao Cancelo. The team’s ability to navigate these challenges will ultimately determine their success in the title race.
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