Barça B 2-0 Atlético Levante: First win at Estadi Johan Cruyff

After draws with Tarragona and Prat, the reserves finally got a taste of victory at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in a game that will remembered most for an absolutely magnificent goal from Àlex Collado. With 11 points, Barça B have risen into the playoff zone.

With Kike Saverio hitting the post in the opening minutes, it might have looked like we headed for a thriller, but the first 45 minutes were actually a rather tepid affair, with Akieme’s free kick the only occasion that drew visiting goalie Cárdenas into action.

Following the break, it was Barça keeper Iñaki Peña who was the busiest man on the pitch, making two spectacular saves.

Barça struggled to match their guests, but as the game drew older things very much started to go back their way. Abel Ruiz snatched on an error by his marker to collect a fine assist from Morer and the blaugrana were finally ahead.

Boosted by the goal, Barça pressed forward in search of more, and they got just that when Àlex Collado scored a goal that people will be talking about for days, weeks, even months. His ducking and dodging run into position looked to have come to nothing but he wasn’t quite finished. The most audacious of back-heel kicks and the ball was in the net – a goal so good it’s worth savouring over and over again.

MATCH STATS

Barça B: Iñaki Peña, Morer, Cuenca, Riqui Puig, Monchu, Abel Ruiz, Saverio, Hiroki (Àlex Collado, min 61), R. Araujo, Akieme & Reis (Jandro, min 76).
Atletico Levante: Cárdenas, G. Pereira, Joan M., Arturo (Blesa, min 69), Nacho, J. Ontiveros, P. Martínez (Cantero, min 80), Rubén G., Sandoval (Ferni, min 61), Eliseo i J. Bernal.
Golas: 1-0, Abel Ruiz (min 70); 2-0, Àlex Collado (min 90).