Flick's Barcelona Strike Again: How the Comeback Kings Stunned Levante in Thrilling 3-2 Victory
Barcelona managed to avoid a costly slip-up by mounting a spectacular comeback from a two-goal disadvantage to secure a 3-2 victory over Levante in their second match of the campaign.
Following their comfortable opening La Liga triumph the previous week, Barcelona found themselves trailing by two goals at the interval against Levante. Hansi Flick's squad rallied magnificently in the second period, with strikes from Pedri and Ferran Torres, plus a crucial stoppage-time own goal, salvaging what could prove to be vital points by season's end.
From a neutral observer's perspective, it was an enthralling encounter featuring several outstanding individual displays and showcasing Barcelona's resilient mentality that has flourished under Flick's guidance. However, such performances will be insufficient if the Blaugrana hope to retain their La Liga title successfully.
Below are three key observations from Barcelona's spectacular turnaround victory.
The Revival Specialists Strike Again
During the previous campaign, Barcelona mounted successful comebacks in six La Liga fixtures after falling behind. This figure increases to nine when including Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, and Champions League encounters.
In just their second outing of the 2025-26 season, Flick's team continued exactly where they concluded, eliminating a two-goal gap within merely seven minutes. Subsequently, after persistently testing Levante's weary backline, the season's inaugural comeback triumph was sealed during added time.
Before today's victory against Levante, Barcelona had reached halftime two goals down in away La Liga matches on 99 occasions. The Catalans had managed to overturn such deficits for victory only once previously, having lost their last 11 encounters in similar circumstances. Today's result marks the first occasion Barcelona has reversed a two-goal halftime deficit on the road in La Liga since 1962.
The psychological resilience of Flick's Barcelona remains among their greatest assets. While much discussion centers on this squad's youth and lack of experience, what remains indisputable—as demonstrated last season—is these young talents excel when facing challenges.
Contrasting with previous Barcelona iterations often labeled as fragile, this current group has made a tradition of consistently securing victory from seemingly hopeless positions.
Pedri's Exceptional Display
Barcelona's determined comeback triumph cannot be understood without acknowledging Pedri's omnipresent influence against Levante.
The Catalan club's midfield virtuoso was central to every positive development for Flick's team. He concluded the evening by completing 118 of his 126 attempted passes and should have registered multiple assists had Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo shown greater composure in scoring positions.
Growing frustrated with his teammates squandering the opportunities he manufactured, Pedri personally ignited Barcelona's revival with a spectacular long-range effort that nestled perfectly into the upper corner.
Defensively, Pedri registered two interceptions and 10 successful ball recoveries, again demonstrating his excellence in the less glamorous elements of play.
Language becomes inadequate when attempting to capture Pedri's exceptional form since the 2024-25 season commenced. His impact transcends mere statistics and figures; he embodies the contemporary central midfielder who controls and commands matches from his position.
Levante proved powerless against another masterful performance from the world's finest central midfielder.
Iñigo Martinez's Absence Deeply Felt
The center-back partnership of Ronald Araújo and Pau Cubarsí delivered a substandard showing, with the younger defender particularly struggling.
Barcelona's defensive unit was vulnerable throughout the opening period. Evident communication breakdowns between the duo continue causing organizational issues when attempting to execute their signature high defensive line.
Both Levante goals resulted from rapid counter-attacks where Barcelona failed to implement their high line properly. For the opener, Araújo kept the opposition onside while Cubarsí's weak defensive positioning allowed Iván Romero a clear sight of goal against Joan García.
Araújo's inconsistent nature has become apparent by now. More concerning is that Cubarsí—who excelled last season—appears increasingly unsettled operating as the left-sided center-back.
Previously, the naturally left-footed Iñigo Martínez occupied that role, with Cubarsí positioned to his right. Following Martínez's departure to Al Nassr, Cubarsí has shifted left to accommodate Araújo. The 18-year-old is clearly still adapting to this positional change.
Cubarsí appeared comfortable as a left center-back when initially breaking into the squad during the latter half of 2023-24, suggesting he may simply require time to readjust. Nevertheless, through two matches this season, Martínez's departure has created a noticeable void.