Barcelona came from two goals down to win 3-2 at newly-promoted Levante in Saturday evening’s see-saw La Liga clash—with the winner coming in the 92nd minute when home defender Unai Elgezabal headed Lamine Yamal’s cross to his own net.
Marcus Rashford made his full La Liga debut, but the on-loan Manchester United man was removed at the break with Barca two goals down after a horror show first half when a well-organized Levante attack regularly exploited Barca’s malfunctioning offside trap.
It was 1-0 after fifteen minutes when a sweeping move was excellently finished by Ivan Romero. Just before the break, another counter caused chaos in the visiting defense, and a penalty was awarded for a handball by Alejandro Balde, which was converted by Jose Luis Morales for 2-0.
Barca coach Hansi Flick made two half-time subs, including replacing Rashford with Spain international Dani Olmo. Three minutes after the restart, the Catalans got one back with a smashing 25-yard drive to the top corner by Pedri. Three minutes later, Ferran Torres hooked in the equalizer at a corner.
Barca dominated the remainder of the game, with fit-again Robert Lewandowski entering for his first minutes of the season and Yamal a constant danger. And it was the teenage winger’s trademark curling cross that forced the late own goal, which made it two wins from their first two games for the defending La Liga champions.
This was not an ideal first start for Rashford—with the team two down when he was hooked at the break, and then immediately scoring twice to get back into the game.
The England international started brightly but quickly faded. It would be harsh to blame him directly, though, as it came within a collective performance lacking in the required intensity and focus.
Barca’s biggest problem in the first half was that Levante successfully targeted the very high defensive line favored by Hansi Flick. Experienced defender Inigo Martinez was key to how it worked last season, but he left this summer to join Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, and without him, there was a lack of organization and composure facing counterattacks.
No, maybe someone else—perhaps Andreas Christensen, who entered as a second-half sub—needs to step up to take over Martinez’s leadership role at the back.