FC Barcelona visits the Ciutat de València this Sunday, aiming to maintain its impressive scoring streak against a Levante side that has been strong at home. The Catalan team leads the league with a perfect record and seventeen goals in four matches, while the Granotes have secured six consecutive home wins.
Hansi Flick's team has started the season at a blistering pace. Only the match against Athletic Club (2-0) did not end with a wide margin; all other official games have been high-scoring victories. In the league, Barça has won 0-5 against Elche, 5-2 against Rayo Vallecano, and 0-5 against Valencia. Furthermore, they debuted in the Champions League with a resounding 5-1 victory over Feyenoord.
Before the upcoming international break, the Catalan club has set a goal to maintain its performance level in the next two fixtures. After visiting the Ciutat de València, they will host Racing de Santander at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Internal competition has intensified thanks to summer signings, expanding Flick's resources. Few players are guaranteed a starting spot, which raises the demands in every training session. The German coach has been rotating minutes to keep the entire squad 'plugged in', according to his statements.
For the match in Valencia, Barcelona will welcome back defender Eric Garcia, who was suspended against Feyenoord. The center-back will wear a protective mask due to the nasal fracture he sustained last Sunday. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong and winger Roony Bardghji will be out due to injury. Youngster Jesse Bisiwu will be called up for the reserve team.
Flick might introduce changes compared to the Champions League game. The return to the starting lineup is expected for Gerard Martín, Xavi Espart, Marc Bernal, Fermín López, and Anthony Gordon. Joan Garcia will continue in goal, with players like Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha considered key, although the coach might manage their workload.
Recent visits by Barcelona to the Ciutat de València have been challenging. The last two victories were narrow wins (2-3) in open, demanding matches. Prior to those, the club had only managed one draw (3-3) and one loss (3-1), highlighting that traveling to Valencia is never straightforward for the league leaders.
Levante enters the match with five points and only one defeat this season. Following a win and two draws in their last three league games, the team is confident in attempting an upset against an opponent that has been winning by large margins. Luis Castro's objective is to halt the Blaugrana momentum by leveraging their home strength, having secured six consecutive victories at the Ciutat de València.
The only confirmed absentee for Levante is forward Etta Eyong, who suffered an injury last week. Castro might opt to field the same starting eleven, with offensive players like Thiago, Brugué, and Iván Romero as key attacking threats.
The probable lineups are: Levante: Ryan; Nacho Pérez, Dela, Mandi, Manu Sánchez; Olasa, Rey, Bardeli, Brugué; Thiago and Iván Romero. Barcelona: Joan Garcia; Eric Garcia, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Xavi Espart; Bernal, Pedri, Fermín; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Gordon.
The match will be officiated by referee Jon Ander González from the Basque Committee. The game will take place at the Ciutat de València on Sunday at 4:15 PM (14:15 GMT).
