Messi steps forward to save Koeman

Lionel Messi stepped forward to salvage some of the rubble from Barcelona’s nightmare week when he fired a goal in the 76th minute in a 1-0 win over Levante.

Juventus beat Barça 3-0 midweek to deny them top spot in their Champions League group, a setback that followed a 2-1 LaLiga loss to Cádiz.

Despite giving up possession as expected for long stretches, Levante seemed willing to wait for a result to pile up more pressure on embattled head coach Ronald Koeman.

Many questions will remain about the Dutchman’s management of Barcelona, ​​but if Messi gets hold of Frenkie De Jong’s perfectly weighted ball for an assured finish, he will get a little respite.

Koeman opted for experience at a time of adversity, summoning Sergio Busquets and Philippe Coutinho to his starting eleven, and the latter was dazzled by a cross from Sergino Dest in the first minute.

Barça’s vulnerabilities showed themselves very early, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved with his feet to frustrate former Real Madrid youth Jorge de Frutos.

Ter Stegen’s opposite number, Aitor Fernández, denied the maligned forward duo Martin Braithwaite and Griezmann, though Roger Marti again defeated the hosts when Dani Gómez thrashed.

Clement Lenglet should have scored when Fernández saved a Griezmann header from Messi’s free-kick in the 21st minute, and the Levante goalkeeper’s best first-half work came five minutes before half-time.

He reacted sharply when Griezmann volleyed through a crowd of players at the end of a chipped cross from Messi.

Mickael Malsa returned to do a vital sliding challenge, as Messi’s former bond with Jordi Alba almost paid off and Levante were increasingly tied to their own box during the early stages of the second half.

There were few clear opportunities to demonstrate that dominance, with Fernandez frustrating Messi two more times from close range.

Only when De Jong made room for Messi to run behind a grueling Levante bottom line was the duel decisively resolved.

What does that mean? One less, three to go

Koeman called Barcelona’s three consecutive home games this week a must-see. A more emphatic statement here would have been helpful, but another three points at the expense of Real Sociedad’s surprise leaders would make things look much more optimistic in the title race.

Barcelona are eighth, nine points behind the pioneers of Imanol Alguacil and Atlético de Madrid, who lost to Real Madrid in El Derbi on Saturday. Atleti and Barça have played two games less than La Real.

Whats Next

Valencia will visit the Camp Nou next Saturday after Barcelona’s midweek meeting with Real Sociedad, which is also LaLiga’s next rival for Levante, which is third in line. First, Paco López’s men must face Racing Murcia in the Copa del Rey.