Barcelona cruise past Levante to reclaim La Liga lead

Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga with a commanding 3-0 victory over Levante on Sunday, capitalising on Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at Osasuna a day earlier.

Hansi Flick’s side moved one point clear of their rivals with a composed display at Camp Nou against the 19th-placed visitors. First-half goals from Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong put Barcelona in control before Fermin Lopez sealed the win with a superb late strike.

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The result marked a timely response after a difficult week in which Barca were thrashed 4-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg and then beaten 2-1 by Girona in the league.

“It was a really bad moment for us, but in the end today we gave a good response,” Flick said. “It’s important now to be on top of the table, but there’s a long way to go.”

Despite Flick’s recent calls for defensive improvement, Barcelona remained vulnerable at the back. However, Levante’s poor finishing ensured the hosts were not punished.

Bernal opened the scoring after an impressive build-up play involving Joao Cancelo and Eric Garcia.

Robert Lewandowski squandered a clear opportunity to double the lead, firing over when well positioned. Cancelo then struck the post with a cross intended for the Polish forward before creating the second goal with another dangerous delivery from the left, which De Jong finished clinically.

Cancelo’s dynamic display on a rare start drew praise from Flick.

“Joao today showed his strengths. He gave us a lot of moments and great chances. For me, it was a really good game from him, and this is what I want to see,” Flick said.

Lopez’s powerful late effort capped a convincing evening for the Catalans.