Overview
- Levante led 2-0 at the break through Iván Romero and a José Luis Morales penalty before Barcelona equalized via Pedri on 49 minutes and Ferran Torres on 52, with Unai Elgezabal’s 90+1 own goal sealing a 3-2 away win.
- Hansi Flick introduced Gavi and Dani Olmo at halftime to add presence between the lines, a shift that unlocked Barcelona’s attack after starting with Eric García over Jules Koundé, Marc Casadó in for the absent Frenkie de Jong and Marcus Rashford on the left.
- Levante competed with a compact block and counterattacks as coach Julián Calero, missing several players, vowed not to "roll out a red carpet" for Barça before fielding a side that pressed and broke quickly.
- In Argentina, San Lorenzo beat Instituto 1-0 with a goal from Branco Salinardi, leaving Instituto stuck on 5 points from 6 matches and searching for a response after consecutive setbacks.
- Colón’s interim coach Ezequiel Medrán leaned on an experienced XI while goalkeeper Marcos Díaz remains separated from the main squad, and Unión set ticket sales and travel plans for Thursday’s Copa Argentina tie against River in Mendoza during a congested week.