Levante - FC Barcelona: Masia alumni put four past Levante

For 60 minutes of tonight’s game against Levante, all 11 Barça players had come up through the Masía and a phenomenal second half saw them put four goals past La Liga’s fourth placed team. Andres Iniesta was at the centre of all of them, with three assists and a goal of his own. Leo Messi opened the scoring with two goals, before Iniesta got the third and Fabregas finished the win with the fourth. Barça now sit 11 points ahead of Real Madrid and three ahead of Atletico who they meet in three weeks’ time.

Possession vs. Counter Attack

With Barça dominating possession and Levante waiting to pounce on the counter, the game followed the same kind of script as last season’s match up between the two. Barça concentrated their attacks down the left through Alba and Iniesta time and again reached the bye line, though none of their teammates seemed able to take advantage, whilst Juanlu and Martins led the Levante counter attacks.

It was two defenders – Juanfran and Piqué who had the best chances to open the scoring in the first half, but neither of them managed to break the deadlock as the teams went in 0-0 at the break, with Barça playing with 11 home grown payers after Alves came off injured after half an hour.

Iniesta and Messi break Levante resistance

Levante’s resistance lasted less than two minutes after the break, as Iniesta and Messi began five magic minutes with a brilliant pass from the Spanish international to set up Messi’s subtle opener- Moments later Iniesta pulled back a cross from the left for Messi to fir home and double the lead,

Iniesta helps make it four

Two assists weren’t enough for Iniesta however and he hammered home a third goal with a great shot from the edge of the box, before setting up Cesc to finish off the scoring and put the game to bed .

Valdés plays his part

The action wasn’t all over at 0-4 though , as Victor Valdes first made a great stop from Martins. before saving a Barkero penalty and the rebound, following a handball decision against Puyol as he lay on the ground. A perfect end for a great team effort as Tito’s men go marching on!