Barca Universal
·23 agosto 2025
Pedri 8.5, Ferran 7.5 | Levante 2-3 Barcelona: Player ratings

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Yahoo sportsBarca Universal
·23 agosto 2025
A trip to Levante is seldom easy for Barcelona, and going back to the venue after over three years did not change that factor.
Playing at the Ciudad de Valencia, the Catalans were put to a stern test against the hosts who even went 2-0 up by the half-time break after a disastrous half of football from Hansi Flick’s side.
Restarting after the break, goals from Pedri and Ferran Torres helped the team move back to 2-2 and into contention once more. Levante’s activated defence, however, made it difficult for Barcelona to find a winner.
In the end, however, a dangerous Yamal cross into the area in extra-time saw them concede an own goal and hand Barcelona all three points.
Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Levante 2-3 Barcelona.
The goalkeeper was put to the test against Levante but can not be directly faulted for either of the goals conceded in the first half for one was a spot-kick while the other was a volley from point-blank range.
Made a great save to deny Levante in the 52nd minute.
The left-back pushed in attack and provided good width on the flank, complementing Rashford well. However, he was caught off guard in defence on occasion and that eventually led to a penalty that helped Levante double their lead.
Truth be told, the defender’s hand was not in any unnatural position and the hosts should not have been awarded a spot-kick, but Balde’s night will go down as one with a direct error instead.
Cubarsi was caught out with the opposition’s first goal and could have done better to mark his man for the ball that eventually came into the area.
He was decent with his distribution apart from that mistake and did decently to lead the line.
The captain did not look troubled in possession but was again caught in two minds in handling the high defensive line, giving Levante more chances on the break than usual.
Did not do anything extravagant and should have done better to defend against the counterattack with his pace and placements in the plays that led to both goals.
Once again picking over Jules Kounde, Garcia started and impressed against Levante at right-back. He stayed defensively solid on a night when Barcelona looked compromised in the department but did not hold back in pushing forward with intent.
In fact, he even came close to scoring himself with a paint-blank header early in the second half.
The Canary Islander was the only controller in Barcelona’s first half who was unfazed by the condition of the field, energy of the opposition or situation of the game.
His distribution was perfect as he completed 97% of his passes and created two key passes in the first half alone. Should have had an assist or two to his name as well if not for the audacious finishing errors.
Scored a stunning goal to pull one back for the team early in the second half with a vicious strike from outside the box.
Hansi Flick handed Casado a start against Levante amid rumours of his departure, showing his faith in the player and that he has him in his plans. The player, needless to say, did not disappoint.
Casado’s distribution was solid on the night and he did well to transition the play from defence to attack. His presence in stopping the counter-attacks, however, was not up to the mark and it is safe to say he should have played slightly lower given the setup.
Flick tested Raphinha in a new role against Levante. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The Brazilian star was made to play in a central position as an attacking midfielder, and while he did not make any outright errors, Flick’s decision to place him there turned out to be a tactical blunder.
Levante’s low block and compact defence required a versatile number 10 to exploit spaces and navigate through the narrow channels, something Dani Olmo would have been ideal for.
Raphinha, however, ended up drifting to the right and took away from Yamal’s niche. Earned the assist for Torres’ equaliser from a corner.
Rashford made his first start in La Liga on the night and showed signs of promise compared to his previous appearance in the competition, making runs and even taking on defenders with confidence.
His finishing and desire to go for the goal, however, still have room for improvement as he continues his effort to return to his best.
With two key passes and 100% passes completed in 45 minutes, Flick will be satisfied with Rashford’s performance.
Levante did well to neutralise Yamal’s threat. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)
Lamine started the game as Lamine does, electric on the ball and dribbling through the Levante defence for fun. However, Manu Sanchez soon stepped up and began giving the star a run for his money defensively.
Did not shine too much in the second part of the opening half but once again began making efforts to break in after the half-time hiatus. Provided a vicious cross that resulted in the winning own-goal in extra-time.
The ‘Shark’ scored one goal but should have had more. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The Shark was unconvincing in the first half, missing several big chances and coming up short in Barcelona’s big moments in the final third. He hit the woodwork once and missed a big chance in just 45 minutes.
Scored a great goal getting on the end of Raphinha’s corner early in the second half, however, helping the team get back on level terms on the night. Could have had the winner to his name as well but could not find enough venom behind his header in the 70th minute.
Did well to replace Casado after the break, adding work rate and defensive stability after coming on.
Missed a few simple passes in the buildup but otherwise looked powerful and comfortable in the tight spaces after coming on. The team’s ability to create threats undoubtedly increased manifold with him on the field.