Barcelona look to assert their dominance as they prepare for Levante
FC Barcelona is going head to head with Levante UD on Saturday at the Estadi Johan Cruyff aiming to maintain their 100 percent start to the season and assert their dominance in the league. They haven’t lost in the Primera Iberdrola in their first nine outings and want to make it ten without defeat. They are buoyed by their midweek win against 1899 Hoffenheim in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Levante on the other hand are looking to make it five games unbeaten in the campaign after going four games unbeaten so far with last weekend’s win against fellow Champions League place contenders, Athletic Club. They face a mammoth task against a cruising Barcelona side after winning just once and drawing twice in their last twenty meetings. Barcelona have won all their four home matches this campaign, scoring 30 goals and conceding just 2 goals in the process. Levante would want another dance in the Champions League next season by making sure they avoid defeat so as to keep pace with those at the top.
Players to watch
Barcelona will be looking for inspiration from their in-form skipper, Alexia Putellas, who is the reigning Europe’s player of the year and is also part of the Ballon d’Or finalists. She has been in good form both in the local league and the Champions League this season, chipping in with 8 goals and the same number of assists in the Primera Iberdrola. She scored a brace during the midweek Champions League tie against Hoffenheim and they are also hoping Asisat Oshoala will continue with her goalscoring form which saw her lead the scoring charts on 11 goals after nine games.
Alba Redondo has been doing well with three goals and four assists this season and Levante will be looking up to her to penetrate the resilient Barcelona defence which was breached only two times this campaign. She has contributed seven of the fifteen goals that Levante has scored this season.
Injuries
Levante goalkeeper, Maria Valenzuela is a doubt after suffering a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on her right knee against Athletic Club last weekend. Defender Maria Mendez is also a doubt after she suffered a dislocation on the patella. Levante coach, Villacampa, bemoaned the injuries they have but reiterated that it should make them stronger by filling the gap created. He also pointed to the challenge of facing Barcelona and asked for maximum concentration from his team. Barcelona will be missing Caroline Graham after she underwent a successful diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for cardiological issues.