JAKARTA - Levante, who recently returned to La Liga as Segunda Division champions, immediately faces a tough test: hosting Barcelona, a team that had already put their all into the first week with a resounding victory. Saturday night's match, August 23rd, could be the first to determine whether the club nicknamed the Granotas (Frogs) is ready to fight for survival, or simply become easy prey for the elite.
Julian Calero's squad comes into the match with a 2-1 defeat to fellow bottom-placed Alaves. The defeat certainly has fans wondering: if they can lose against a fellow bottom-placed team, how can they fare against the monster that is Barcelona?
Historical record also requires a lot of realism from Levante. Of the 45 times they have faced Barca, they have only won six. Their last victory came in 2019, and before that, there was a crazy 5-4 thriller in Valencia in 2018. But since 2022, they have been absent from La Liga and are only now returning. This season is clearly about survival.
In the Catalan camp, Hansi Flick can be smiling broadly. Barca won 3-0 at Mallorca in "training ground" mode: quick goals from Raphinha and Ferran Torres, two red cards for the opposition, and a goal from Lamine Yamal. Barca were so relaxed, it seemed like they didn't need to exert themselves.
Last season, they scored 102 goals en route to the title. This season, with the addition of Marcus Rashford, the opportunity to be even more aggressive remains wide open. The main target is clearly to defend their title and return to glory in the Champions League after their semifinal exit.
Levante is still missing goalkeeper Alfonso Pastor. Four other players—Olasagasti, Kervin Arriaga, Goduine Koyalipou, and Alan Matturro—are doubtful. New full-back Jeremy Toljan scored on his debut and is certain to start again, accompanied by Manu Sanchez on the left flank. Roger Brugue, last season's top scorer with 11 goals, is the mainstay of the attack.
Barcelona is still without Marc-André ter Stegen due to a back injury. Robert Lewandowski has returned to training, but is likely to be on the bench to avoid any risks. Jules Kounde is likely to start at right-back, while Ferran Torres, who scored against Mallorca, will almost certainly start as the main striker again.
Predicted Lineups
Levante (3-4-1-2)
Campos; Elgezabal, Fuente, Cabello; Toljan, Lozano, Rey, Sanchez; Martinez; Romero, Brugue
Barcelona (4-2-3-1)
Garcia; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Torres
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