Levante UD vs FC Barcelona: Flick's team faces an unprecedented rival in LaLiga

FC Barcelona returns this Saturday to the Ciutat de Valencia Stadium for the first time since April 2022. Levante UD returns to LaLiga EA Sports after three seasons in Segunda and does so with Julián Calero. Hansi Flick's team, in that sense, faces a new rival in search of their second victory of the season.

The 'azulgrana' team debuted with a thrashing in Mallorca (0-3), a match resolved very early thanks to goals from Raphinha and Ferran Torres, in addition to the expulsions of Manu Morlanes and Vedat Muriqi. The 'culés' were winning 0-2 in 23 minutes and, before the break, they were already eleven against nine.

In addition, Barça seeks to maintain the perfect step this summer. The Catalan team added full of victories in their friendlies in Asia (Vissel Kobe, Seoul and Daegu), as well as in the Gamper (Como 1907). The balance has been overwhelming, with 23 goals in favor and only 4 against, including the match in Son Moix.

• 📺Where and when to watch the match: the channels that broadcast the Levante-Barça SEE

Possible lineup of Barça: Who will be Flick's starters against Levante?

Thus, Flick's team arrives in Valencia in great shape and with a majority of starters available in the squad. Robert Lewandowski was out in Mallorca due to an injury to his left thigh, but he will be available against Levante.

Although the registrations of Wojciech Szczesny, Gerard Martín and Roony Bardghji remain to be resolved, the coaching staff has enough troops, line by line, to align practically its gala XI. Joan García will be again in the goal, with Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsí in the center of the defense.

On the right, the debate for the Eric García-Jules Koundé duel remains. The Frenchman should be a starter against the 'granotas', but the one from Martorell performed well in the Gamper and on matchday 1. Alejandro Balde, on the left, remains untouchable, as does Pedri in midfield.

In this demarcation, however, there are two open doubts for Flick. On the one hand, the possible absence of Frenkie de Jong (due to paternity) opens the door to Gavi or Marc Casadó to accompany Pedri. The other unknown is whether Fermín López will remain as an attacking midfielder or, failing that, Dani Olmo will return to the XI.

Up front, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Ferran Torres will be back from the start. The three scored in Son Moix, with the '10' being the 'MVP' of the match with a goal and an assist. Marcus Rashford, who already debuted in Palma, will wait for his opportunity on the bench.

• 📋 Squad list: Barcelona's squad list for the match: SEE

Levante arrives with enthusiasm, but also in need of points

Levante, meanwhile, is coming off a defeat in their Liga debut away to Alavés (2-1). German full-back Jeremy Toljan had equalized the scores in the 62nd minute, but a goal from Nahuel Tenaglia in the second minute of added time left the 'granotas' empty-handed.

Therefore, the Valencian team arrives with the need to add points so as not to quickly fall into a negative streak. The 'granotas' are clearly aiming to secure permanence and a victory or draw against Barça would be a brutal injection of encouragement and confidence.

The 'culés', however, are presented as an almost invincible rival for Julián Calero's team. In La Liga, Barça has only lost one of the 20 matches played this 2025 (2-3 against Villarreal, with the league title secured on matchday 37).

In addition, the Catalan team has not lost as a visitor in the tournament since November 10 of last year, against Real Sociedad (1-0). Since then, the balance is three draws and eight straight victories, including the match against Mallorca. 

For Saturday, the Valencians will be able to have their best men, after resolving the mess with the registrations in LaLiga. Levante already has 18 first-team players enabled in the payroll of the employers, in addition to two goalkeepers from the reserve team.

Barça, likewise, has already registered the bulk of its squad (20 players), along with four other youth players from Atlètic. Although the club has not yet returned to the 1:1 rule, only releasing Iñaki Peña and Héctor Fort is missing to close the squad with the registrations of Szczesny, Bardghji and Martín.

• ℹ️ Lineups: the possible starting XIs of FC Barcelona and Levante: SEE

Barcelona must be careful at the Ciutat de Valencia

Beyond the great 'azulgrana' present and the notable football difference with Levante, Hansi Flick's team must be careful at the Ciutat de Valencia. In their last visits to the 'granota' fiefdom, FC Barcelona could only win in two of five opportunities, with one defeat and one draw.

In the last precedent between both teams, Barça won by the minimum (2-3) with goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Pedri and Luuk De Jong on the hour. Previously, in 202/21, the 'culés' wasted a two-goal lead and ended up drawing 3-3.

In 19/20, the 'azulgrana' team fell unexpectedly (3-1) despite going to the break winning thanks to a penalty from Leo Messi. In 17/18 and 18/19, with Ernesto Valverde on the bench, the Catalans had disparate luck, with a 'manita' (0-5) and another defeat (5-4). Will Flick's team be able to add their second thrashing of the season this Saturday? 

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