Barca lose to Levante in Spanish league Cup

By Daily Sports on January 11, 2019

Philippe Coutinho scored a crucial away goal but Barcelona have work to do to avoid a surprise exit from the Copa del Rey after losing 2-1 to Levante on Thursday in the first leg of the last 16.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Marc Andre ter Stegen were among several key players rested at the City of Valencia Stadium, where Levante took advantage as Erick Cabaco and Borja Mayoral gave them a two-goal cushion.

Coutinho, however, making his first start in almost a month, converted an 85th-minute penalty to leave Barca in touch heading into next week's second leg at the Camp Nou.

After missing much of November through injury, Coutinho has struggled to regain his place in Ernesto Valverde’s preferred starting line-up but 90 minutes, and a goal, will have done his confidence no harm.

“When (Ousmane) Dembele didn’t play, everyone asked about him, now Coutinho doesn’t play, it’s the reverse,” Valverde said afterwards. “When you don’t play and you aren't happy, you have to fight to change things.”

Valverde was blamed last season for Barca’s shock Champions Leaue exit, the theory being that he failed to rest key players in the Copa del Rey and La Liga, both of which they won.

He seems keener to adjust this term as a much-changed line-up included a debut for central defender Jeison Murillo, a January loan signing from Valencia, as well as youngsters like Chumi Brandariz, Juan Miranda and Carles Alena.

This was a difficult introduction, however, with Murillo beaten for Levante’s second goal while Miranda was replaced at halftime and Chumi followed 13 minutes later.

The front three were more established, as Ousmane Dembele, Malcom and Coutinho aimed to make up for the absence of a recognised striker.

Instead, Levante took the lead after just 185 seconds as Ruben Rochina’s in-swinging cross from the left met the head of Cabaco, who climbed above Sergio Busquets and headed in.

Barca were struggling to cope with the aggression of their opponents and in the 18th minute they were two down. Emmanuel Boateng's reverse pass set Borja free, who nipped between Murillo and Chumi.

Murillo tried to make the block but Borja’s shot beat both him and Jasper Cillessen, before nestling in the far corner.

Levante could have made it three but Borja fired wide and Jose Luis Morales, who only had Cillessen to beat, scooped his finish over the bar.

Valverde had turned to his bench as Sergi Roberto and Clement Lenglet came on for Miranda and Chumi while Denis Suarez, linked with a move away from the club this month, was given 23 minutes to instigate a comeback. (SuperSport)

•Photo shows Levante players

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 11, 2019


 

You may also like...
Spurs Reach FA Cup Fourth Round, Newcastle Cruise...

Euro 2024: Spain meet France, Netherlands battle England...

Doyle, Blaq, Adesanya Commend “Owo-Ojumo” Initiative

Solskjaer: Rashford Could Be Out ‘For A While’...

Simeone: I think VAR goes hand-in-hand with justice...

Tuchel threatens Man City’s Champions League hopes once...

 

Latest News Super Falcons Over Ran Morocco In Grudge Comeback Game Confirming Mission X Isak situation has to be right for Newcastle - Howe Hojlund's fight to answer Man Utd's striker question Inter to make €45m Lookman offer next week Man Utd won't sell players on the cheap - Amorim Players fear consequences of speaking out - Fifpro Messi ‘very upset’ after MLS suspension for All-Star no-show WAFCON 2024 Finale: The Grudge Game Of Wits, Brawns Ensues As Hosts Morocco Dares Nigeria Late Drama as Morocco Files Shock Petition to Disqualify Nigeria’s Plumptre & Alozie Hours Before Final Newcastle consider Sesko amid Isak uncertainty Algeria Hosts ANOCA's Inaugural African Schools' Sports Games, 2025 Cathedral Archdeaconry Lifts Trophy in Thrilling Bishop Nwokolo U-21 Final

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,596 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,765 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,765 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,359 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,357 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,343 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (44,159 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,707 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,806 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,426 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,859 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,290 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media