Barcelona threw away a 2-0 lead, a 3-2 lead and the chance to go momentarily top of LaLiga with a ridiculous 3-3 draw against Levante at the Ciutat de València on Tuesday night.
The match kicked off at 10:00 p.m. local time and quickly entered the magical realm that all “after dark” sporting events inhabit. After Pedri wasted a couple good opportunities with poor shooting, Lionel Messi showed the 18-year-old how it’s done in the 26th minute with a world-class side volley.
⚽️ De zurda, gol de Leo Messi: No importa cuando digas esto@LevanteUD 0-1 @FCBarcelona_es #LevanteBarça ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/7jB8J9qk1y
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) May 11, 2021
Ronald Koeman elected to start Ousmane Dembélé at right wingback despite the presence of Sergiño Dest and Sergi Roberto on the bench, and although the Frenchman looked extremely uncomfortable when faced with the threat of Levante’s Enis Bardhi, he showed his worth going the other direction in the 34th minute.
Surging into Levante’s third, Messi picked out Dembélé with a perfectly weighted pass, and the 23-year-old drove to the byline before cutting it back for Pedri to finish.
⚽️ También de zurda, @Pedri aumenta la ventaja de la visita@LevanteUD 0-2 @FCBarcelona_es #LevanteBarça ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/OXsHVuaHsY
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) May 11, 2021
At halftime, Koeman reacted to Levante’s brief moments of first half joy by bringing on Sergi Roberto and altering the formation, but the result was disastrous.
In the 57th minute, Jorge Miramón picked out Gonzalo Melero with his cross for a close-range header. Three minutes after that, the home side was level.
The attack began with a poor Messi turnover, and Roger Martí eventually clipped a through ball for José Luis Morales to volley home.
@LevanteUD are level! Back-to-back goals, as JOSE LUIS MORALES puts the equalizer home. 2-2 with @FCBarcelona.#LevanteBarça on beIN SPORTShttps://t.co/oVoCobCqcj
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) May 11, 2021
But Barça’s response only took four minutes, with Messi attempting to play Antoine Griezmann through before the ball broke wide to Dembélé. He hammered his finish into the far corner.
. . .and just like that, @FCBarcelona are back in front! OUSMANE DEMBELE with a class finish to restore the lead over @LevanteUD!#LevanteBarca on beIN SPORTS pic.twitter.com/WGAprN7vD7
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) May 11, 2021
That had to be three points secured for Barcelona, but Dest’s introduction in the 82nd minute was a harbinger of things to come.
The American couldn’t deny Toño’s supply from out wide after slipping, and Sergio León was there to finish with the outside of his boot despite the attentions of Gerard Piqué.
❗️ UNBELIEVABLE!!! @LevanteUD find another equalizer! Sergino Dest slips, and SERGIO LEON takes advantage. 3-3 with @FCBarcelona.#LevanteBarça on beIN SPORTShttps://t.co/lKES1qQRLa
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) May 11, 2021
Koeman’s final move was to simply irritate Blaugrana supporters by taking off Sergi Roberto (a second half substitute himself) and giving Riqui Puig all of five minutes.
Here's how things stand with Atlético and Real Madrid now both having a game in hand on Barcelona.
Photo: The Guardian
