Barcelona Claws Back Win Against Levante: Rashford Subbed at Half-Time!
Barcelona secured a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against newly-promoted Levante on Saturday, but the match wasn't without its drama. The Blaugrana found themselves trailing 2-0 at halftime, but a spirited second-half performance saw them snatch all three points.
Levante Shocked Barca Early
Levante took an early lead through Ivan Romero and extended it with a controversial penalty converted by Jose Luis Morales. The penalty decision, awarded after a VAR review for a handball against Alejandro Balde, sparked debate, with many questioning the call. Pedri himself alluded to inconsistencies in handball decisions, referencing a similar incident involving Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni where no penalty was given.
Rashford's First Start Cut Short
Marcus Rashford, on his first La Liga start for Barcelona, was surprisingly substituted at halftime. Manager Hansi Flick explained that the substitution was tactical, despite Rashford showing glimpses of promise in the opening 45 minutes. The decision raised eyebrows, but Flick's changes ultimately proved fruitful.
Barca Mounts Impressive Comeback
Barcelona emerged a different team after the break. Pedri ignited the comeback with a stunning long-range strike, followed quickly by an equalizer from Ferran Torres. The game remained tense until a late own goal by Unai Elgezabal secured the win for Barcelona in injury time. Despite the victory, Flick acknowledged that his team needs to improve significantly.
Pedri's Perspective
Pedri, reflecting on his goal, said, "They always tell me to shoot, but today I tried it. The first shot with my left foot was in the [stands], and the second one went in." His contribution proved vital in Barcelona's fightback.
- Levante took a 2-0 lead in the first half.
- Rashford was subbed at halftime.
- Pedri's goal sparked Barcelona's comeback.
- A late own goal secured the victory.