Barcelona 3-0 Levante summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga 2021/22

A big week ahead for FC Barcelona with Benfica away midweek followed by a trip to the Wanda Metropolitano. The results in these games could be key in mapping Ronald Koeman's future on the Camp Nou bench.

Worrying for Levante, seven games now without a win and next Saturday's contest against Mallorca critical for Paco Lopez.

Wonderful scenes at Camp Nou and Fati congratulated by not just his own teams mates but Levante players keen to recognize the No.10's return.

The whistle sounds at Camp Nou and it's another No. 10 in the azul-grana shirt who will make the headlines as Fati celebrates his return after 322 days with a fine late strike to see off Levante.

Fati's father in tears in the Camp Nou stand. Emotional stuff and revealing of the torture and anxiety provoked by such a serious knee injury.

Four minutes of time to be added on.

What a way to make a comeback....The player heads to the back room staff to thank the Barcelona physios....

Next up for Barcelona in LaLiga.... away to At. Madrid in the capital next Saturday night. A critical game against the current league champions.

Levante are in action too on Saturday as they face Mallorca.

Dest off, Lenglet on for Barça in the final minute of normal time

All a little too late though for Paco Lopez's men who still have yet to record a win in this 2021/22 season....

It's been a bit better from Levante in the past ten minutes or so as Morales is now combining well with Roger and the visitors are offering something more of a fight....

Demir fouled and Clerc is carded for a tug on the sub's shirt

Fati on the ball,  the teenager twists and turns and wins a corner for his side.... good first touch from the No. 10 as he looks for a spot kick which the referee waves away.

Ter Stegen to the rescue as Levante strike... Cantero forcing the German to palm away .... Barcelona really should have this game done and dusted and as we stand, that is not the case ....

Demir and Araujo also on for Barcelona. Mingueza and Gavi making way for the pair.

Fati poised for an entrance ... 322 days later, the teenager is back !

The Barcelona No. 10 comes on for De Jong...

Mustafi with an injury leaves the pitch with Pier the final Levante substitute of the afternoon.

Almost an og as Postigo clears and the ball trickles inches wide of the Levante goal.

Henrik Larsson seems to be the member of the Barcelona back room in constant touch with Ronald Koeman who is serving a 2 match ban following his dismissal in Cadiz.

Am sure we;ll see Fati for the final 15 minutes or so as Barcelona turn their thoughts to Wednesday's trip to Lisbon where they face Benfica in the second game of Group E. A defeat in the Portuguese capital would be worrying for Barcelona's quest to advance to the round of 16.

Less than 20' remain ...Barcelona still very, very much in charge. Little from Morales in his 15 minutes or so on the pitch.

Still feel should Levante score, with the 2-0 scoreline, it would be a very nervy ending for the home side ....

Dest goes close with a fine right footed drive. Possibly the best FC Barcelona player today.....

More Levante changes, De Frutos and Pepelu off. Cantero and Vukcevic on

Have seen Levante a few times this season but cannot recall such a toothless performance. They approached the game with low levels of confidence (the did lose to Celta midweek) but have never really tested a FC Barcelona team who came into this game on the back of some average results and performances.

Depay times his run to perfection but fires straight at Aitor as the Catalan side launch an electric counter.

Ideal game for Fati to make a comeback after 322 days out of action. Am sure Barcelona would like a third, just to avoid any late worries should Levante find the target.

Ansu Fati warming up on the sideline....

Riqui Puig on for Coutinho (who started well and faded as the game has worn on) a few timid whistles for the Brazilian.

Puig set to make an entrance for Barcelona.

Card for Levante as Pepelu grabs Coutinho's shirt

Levante still struggling to get any slick passing together as the men from Orriols giving the ball away way too cheaply.

Morales on along with Pablo Martinez. Gomez and Radoja make way for the substitutes.

Levante set to make a doublw switch with Morales set to join the action.

Yet again, Levante gift the ball to their opponents with Gavi latching onto a loose ball which Miramon fails to control

The next goal will be crucial in determining the direction the rest of the game will go .... does look like a third for Koeman's side rather than a goal for Levante on the balance of play.

Postigo gives the ball away on the edge of the Levante box and Depay steps in, strikes and forces a fine stop from Aitor.

Better from Levante at the start of this second half as the men in gold enjoy more sustained spells of possession.

Levante get us under way in the second half.

The teams return to the Camp Nou pitch. No changes it would appear with Morales still wearing a training top.

Riqui Puig and Ansu Fati have been warming up during the interval for the home side.

Despite their total dominance, a score-line of just 2-0 is dangerous as a goal from Levante puts the visitors well back in the game. Morales will offer the men from Valencia another outlet with Roger and Gomez getting little change from the Barcelona rear guard.

Camp Nou attendance today is 35,334

Double Dutch for Barcelona with goals from Memphis and Luuk de Jong enough to see the Catalan side comfortable in control.

Over-hit from the Dutch striker but Barcelona win a corner as we approach the interval. Coutinho takes and Mustafi heads clear. The whistle sounds and Barcelona leave the pitch to a warm round of applause from the 30,000 fans here today in the Catalan capital.

Free-kick for Barcelona, six in the box for the home side.

Clock ticking down at Camp Nou in the first half. Levante have Morales warming up and we'll probably see 'El Commandante" at the start of the second 45'.

Gavi almost lobs Aitor but the Basque keeper does well to snatch the ball and avoid a third for the Catalan side.

Despite their absolute dominance, one goal from the visitors changes the complexion of the contest. Having said that, a goal for Barcelona is the likelier option from what we're seeing on the Camp Nou pitch.

Not sure Ter Stegen has been called into action this afternoon as Memphis once again cuts through the Levante rear guard with relative ease.

The stats say it all.....

Levante with zero shots on target

Just past the 30 minute mark here at Camp Nou and still very much one way traffic with Levante on the back foot from the opening minute of the game.

Dest (who has looked excellent today) gets to the byline and floats a fine cross into the box which is headed over. Levante really with no reply to the home side today. Another goal really would be curtains for the side from Valencia.

Postigo now carded for a foul on Depay

Gavi carded after a rash challenge. First booking of the afternoon.

Pique goes close and watches as the ball trickles wide of the Levante goal with Aitor beaten.

Great work from Couthinho as he place some intricate passes with Dest and wins a corner for his side.

The folks at Opta seem to have their possession stats the wrong way around.... More like Barcelona with 75%

Barcelona well on top here with 6 shots on goal already in just 19 minutes of the game.

It's not a question of Barcelona being pretty solid today (which they are) but Levante are displaying a vulnerability in defense that is uncharacteristic for a Paco Lopez side.

The Dutch striker opening his account for FC Barcelona but way too easy from Levante as the striker had acrres of space to latch on to the ball and slot home.

Barcelona rampant now at Camp Nou with Levante unable to get any possession in the opposing half as the men in gold are forced to sit deep.

Third goal from Depay this season in LaLiga and the perfect tonic for the Camp Nou.

No mistake as the Dutchman sends Aitor the wrong way, fine spot kick.

Penalty for Barcelona as Memphis is upended in the box... great movement from the Dutch man as Radoja trips the striker.

Barcelona enjoying the bulk of early possession as Levante sit deep.

No Koeman on the bench today with the Dutch coach desperate for a positive result to fend off the vultures that are circling around Camp Nou. Off we go, FC Barcelona start the action

"Tots al Camp.... es un clam...." rings out at Camp Nou as the celebrated FC Barcelona anthem greets both sides.

Sergio Roberto was ruled out earlier in the day suffering with gastroenteritis. Coutinho starts again for Koeman with Gavi and Nico given another Camp Nou outing.

Should you be joining us late today on this Sunday afternoon, here's a remnder of the teams

Levante have given Barcelona a run for their money in the past three meetings at Camp Nou but the home side have prevailed on each occasion by virtue of winning by a single goal.

The early kick-off mid table battle between Mallorca and Osasuna has just ended in Palma with a 2-3 win for the men from Pamplona. Barcelona currently lie in 9th place in LaLiga after five games. Levante are 16th with just 4 points.

Barcelona will be in their classic 'azul-grana' colours today with Levante forced to change due to a kit clash. 'Els Granotes' will don their new all gold third kit for the first time this season.

Barcelona with one eye on Benfica

The Catalan giants are in midweek action next Wednesday as they travel to Lisbon to face Benfica in match-day 2 of the 2021/22 Champions League group stage. A positive result for Koeman's side is imperative after the 0-3 reverse at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Group E opener.

Benfica kept up their positive start in the Portuguese league with a 1-3 win away to Vitoria SC.

FC Barcelona-Levante UD weather

It's a bright and warm sunny day in Barcelona with a current temperature of 29C/85F and just a 1% possibility of a shower during the action.

Barcelona-Levante match official

32-year-old Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos from Damiel is today's match official for the Camp Nou clash. The referee from La Mancha made his refereeing debut in the second tier back in 2016.

30,000 fans expected at Camp Nou today.

Health restrictions are still in place in Spain as the country starts to see covid-19 cases decline. Fans permitted to the stadium in Barcelona must wear face masks and observe social distancing.

Draws and defeats for Levante so far this season. The men from Orriols yet to record a win in the 21/22 season.

The last five games for Barcelona

Fati is very much seen as a potential saviour for Barcelona's poor current form which is certainly a pressure factor which the teenager will be feeling. The player graces the front pages of today's Catalan sports papers.

"A final exam with Ansu"

Koeman gives starts to Gavi and Nico again.

The Dutch coach deposits his faith in youth once again with both players starting for the Catalan side as they did last Monday at home vs Granada.

Another Coutinho start as FCB confirm XI

Morales on the bench as Levante confirm starting XI

Insert the Levante 'park the bus' gag of your choice here.

The men from Orriols will probably adopt a prudent tactical approach ahead of today's Camp Nou clash.

Fati return

Ansu Fati is back in Barcelona's squad against Levante after a long injury lay-off, but Ronald Koeman says the youngster will need time.

Fati has not played for Barça in 322 days, after he suffered a serious knee injury in November 2020.

The 18-year-old, who has taken the number 10 shirt vacated by Lionel Messi, has undergone three operations and only returned to training last month.

Koeman suspended

The pressure continues to mount on the Dutch coach after a below-average start to the season for the Blaugrana. He will miss the club's La Liga fixtures against Levante at Camp Nou today and away to Atlético Madrid Saturday October 2.

In his post-match press conference Koeman said: “In this country, they send you off for nothing”.

The Camp Nou clash starts at 10:15 (ET) or 16:15 local time (CEST).

Today's visitors to the Catalan capital are Levante UD with the side from Valencia still yet to record a win in the 2021/22 season.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the LaLiga match-day seven clash from Camp Nou.