Barcelona's hopes of ending the 2017-18 La Liga campaign unbeaten finished courtesy of an incredible 5-4 loss at Levante on Sunday night.
The defeat was Barcelona's first in the league since April 2017, with a hat-trick from Emmanuel Boateng helping Levante make it eight wins from their last 10 top-flight matches.
The Spanish champions were without the services of Lionel Messi - who was rested - and in-form Levante managed to hold off a late fightback from the visitors to collect all three points in spectacular fashion.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Valencia as in-form Levante welcome the champions Barcelona for what should be a very interesting match. Barcelona will be looking to move onto 93 points for the season, but it will not be easy against a Levante side that has won seven of their last nine top-flight fixtures. Stay tuned for the action!
Levante have incredibly never beaten Barcelona. Indeed, the Catalan giants have been victorious in each of their last seven matches since a 1-1 draw in Valencia during the 2013-14 La Liga campaign. Earlier this season, Barcelona ran out 3-0 winners at Camp Nou, and also recorded a 2-0 victory when the pair last clashed in this stadium during the 2015-16 campaign.
Barcelona have incredibly scored 36 times in their last nine meetings with Levante, meanwhile, which is a worrying statistic for the home side ahead of this match. That said, each of Levante's four La Liga draws with Barcelona have come on their own patch, and as mentioned above, they will enter this fixture in a very good run of form. It should be a very interesting game of football.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Valencia. Levante were last in action on Monday night - recording a 3-0 victory at Leganes. Barcelona, meanwhile, thumped Villarreal 5-1 on Wednesday night. Any changes? Let's see...
TEAMS!
LEVANTE: Oier; Coke, Postigo, Pier, Luna; Bardhi, Campana, Lukic, Boateng; Morales, Roger
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Vermaelen, Mina, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Coutinho, L. Suarez, Dembele
Levante boss Paco Lopez has shuffled his pack following the 3-0 win over Leganes last time out, with Roger Marti and Sasa Lukic among those to come into the XI. An attacking team also sees Jose Luis Morales and Emmanuel Boateng feature, while Enis Bardhi will operate in a wide position.
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has made five changes to the team that started against Villarreal on Wednesday night, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Yerry Mina, Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez all returning. There is no Lionel Messi for the visitors tonight as the Argentine is rested, but Ousmane Dembele does start fresh from his two-goal showing against Villarreal.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Valencia. I shall speak about the home side and their excellent form a little bit later, but let's start with Barcelona. As mentioned above, Ernesto Valverde's side will enter tonight's match off the back of a very impressive 5-1 win over Villarreal at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
The victory over Villarreal was Barcelona's 27th in the league this season, which moved them onto the 90-point mark. They are still yet to lose this term, and managed to secure 2-2 with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last weekend despite losing Sergi Roberto to a red card. The unbeaten La Liga campaign is now within touching distance for the Catalan giants.
Valverde has managed to lead Barcelona to a La Liga and Copa del Rey double in his first season in charge, but there is no question that the club are still struggling to get over their incredible Champions League elimination. Barcelona were pretty much there against Roma, but lost 3-0 in the second leg of their quarter-final to sensationally exit the competition.
There is always next season, however, and Barcelona will currently be focused on finishing their La Liga campaign with two wins. The Catalan giants finish at home to Real Sociedad next weekend, and are then not back in action until the end of July - when they will face Tottenham Hotspur in pre-season. Kickoff in Valencia tonight is now just about 20 minutes away.
As for Levante, the Frogs finished first in the Segunda Division last season to secure a return to the top flight of Spanish football. An extremely poor run of form either side of the winter break put the club in serious trouble of being relegated back to the second tier, but they have been in staggering form since the start of March - winning seven of their last nine La Liga fixtures.
The turnaround started with a 1-0 win at Getafe on March 10, and Levante have only lost once since then - a 3-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid. They will enter this match off the back of four straight victories over Malaga, Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Leganes, and will be looking to finish their campaign with another two wins over Barcelona and Celta Vigo.
A total of 43 points has left Lopez's side in 15th position. Anything 17th or higher would have been seen as a successful campaign for Levante, and that has already been secured. Indeed, Deportivo, Las Palmas and Malaga have been confirmed as the three relegated teams.
Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch in Valencia. Levante, who have been in wonderful form in recent weeks, welcome the champions Barcelona. It has all the makings of a very interesting game of football. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates!
KICKOFF! Levante kick things off on home soil...
... it must be said that there is an excellent atmosphere inside the stadium, with the supporters turning out in their numbers. It should be an open and entertaining match, especially considering the fact that Levante have a number of attacking players on the field tonight.
Barcelona are immediately on the front foot as smart work from Coutinho eventually sees Iniesta deliver a low cross towards Dembele, but Postigo makes the clearance.
Dembele misses the Levante crossbar with an effort from distance.
Barcelona look seriously in the mood tonight as they continue to work the ball into wide positions. Another attempt comes from Iniesta, and Oier is on hand to make the save.
Coutinho breaks into the Levante box once again, but the Brazilian cannot escape the attention of three defenders, who had followed him back. The Catalan giants are absolutely full of it, and have won a free kick in a very dangerous position. Suarez is standing over the ball here...
... Suarez smashes the ball straight into the wall.
Levante have managed to enjoy some possession in the last couple of minutes, which is just what they need at this stage of the match. Barcelona were utterly dominant early on.
GOAL! Levante 1-0 Barcelona (Boateng)
Oh my word! Levante make the breakthrough in the ninth minute as Morales works some space in a wide position before delivering a low cross into Boateng, who forces it home from close range!
POST! Oh my word! Levante come close to a second as Boateng's shot finds Bardhi inside the Barcelona box, but the number 10 smashes the ball against the post!
Barcelona's back four is all over the place at the moment; incredible scenes.
Barcelona are missing three members of their usual back four tonight, and that has shown in the first 15 minutes. The away side are still strutting their stuff down the other end, however, with Dembele and Coutinho both dangerous. We have a proper games on our hands here.
Morales has been in stunning form for Levante in recent months, and the attacker has started this match like a house on fire. Barcelona's defence just cannot deal with the number 11.
Half-chance for the home side as Postigo makes a free kick from Morales, but his effort is straight into the arms of Barcelona's goalkeeper. Still 1-0 to the home side in Valencia.
BOOKING! Vermaelen (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Boateng.
Suarez attempts to find Dembele with an ambitious pass, but Oier is out to collect. Not too much in the way of chances for the away side at the moment, which is credit to Levante.
BOOKING! Bardhi (Levante) is booked for a foul on Semedo.
Levante continue to offer a threat in the final third of the field, but that means that Barcelona will have space down the other end. Surely there are plenty more goals in this match.
Half-chance for Barcelona, but Dembele's low shot is deflected wide of the post.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Barcelona are very much on the front foot at the moment as they continue to work the ball into dangerous positions. That said, Levante are still threatening down the other end, with Morales's incredible pace such a weapon.
Barcelona are going to be forced into a change here as Vermaelen pulls up.
Vermaelen has left the field, but Pique is not quite ready to enter!
BARCELONA SUB! Here we comes; Pique replaces Vermaelen.
GOAL! Levante 2-0 Barcelona (Boateng)
Incredible! Levante score their second of the match as Boateng breaks into the Barcelona box before rounding Ter Stegen and finishing from close range! Semedo almost got back to make the challenge, but Boateng held off the right-back before rolling home. What a turn-up!
Levante have been in stunning form in recent months, and they are now 2-0 up against a Barcelona side that has not lost in the league all season. What an incredible 33 minutes here.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and what a first period it has been for Levante, who entered this match off the back of seven wins in their last nine league games.
BOOKING! Boateng (Levante) is booked following a clash with Mina.
GOAL! Levante 2-1 Barcelona (Coutinho)
Barcelona halve the deficit late in the first period as brilliant work from Pique eventually sees Coutinho find space outside the Levante box, and the Brazilian curls the ball into the back of the net. Not too sure about the goalkeeping there, but it was a powerful strike!
Smart save from Oier to keep out a powerful strike from Semedo.
Iniesta has a low strike deflected wide of the post as Barcelona continue to force the issue. Levante really need the half-time whistle as the visitors look to score a second here.
What a terrific first half of football from Valencia. I predicted an open and entertaining match ahead of kickoff, and that has proved to be the case. Levante have been really good here.
Pique blocks a strike from Roger as Levante threaten on the counter-attack.
HALF-TIME: Levante 2-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona trailing 2-1 to Levante in Valencia. Boateng scored twice in the first 30 minutes to send the home side 2-0 ahead before Coutinho struck for Barcelona late in the first half. Quite a game of football!
STATISTICS! Barcelona dominated the first-half possession with 65%, while they managed eight attempts - three of which were on target. Levante, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their six attempts. Three yellows to report - Vermaelen (20 min), Bardhi (22 min) and Boateng (37 min).
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona have already been forced into a change tonight, with Pique replacing the injured Vermaelen during the first period. Paulinho, Digne, Gomes, Alcacer and Denis Suarez are among those still available for head coach Valverde in Valencia. As for the hosts Levante, Lopez has the likes of Cabaco, Al Muwallad, Lerma and Pazzini in reserve.
RESTART! Barcelona resume the action here...
... no changes to report at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.
GOAL! Levante 3-1 Barcelona (Bardhi)
Oh my word! What a goal! Levante have their third of the match early in the second period as Bardhi finds space outside the Barcelona box before picking out the top corner! Wow!
What a turn-up in this match. Barcelona have a mountain to climb to turn this around.
GOAL! Levante 4-1 Barcelona (Boateng)
No words. Well, I have some. Levante score their fourth of the match as Luna releases Boateng with a terrific pass, and the striker finishes into the far corner to complete his hat-trick!
Suarez breaks into the Levante box, but the home side manage to defend their lines.
CLOSE! Morales looks to make it five for Levante, but the winger's low effort is just wide of the post. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this game.
GOAL! Levante 5-1 Barcelona (Bardhi)
This is just bonkers. Levante have their fifth of the match as Bardhi again shows his incredible ability to find the back of the net with a curling finish. I cannot believe my eyes here.
GOAL! Levante 5-2 Barcelona (Coutinho)
Barcelona score their second of the match as Coutinho smashes home from close range following poor defending from Levante. Is that game on? I am not too sure.
BARCELONA SUB! Dembele and Iniesta are replaced by Alcarer and Denis.
This has been a staggering game of football, and we still have 30 minutes to play here!
BOOKING! Coke (Levante) is booked for a foul on Coutinho.
GOAL! Levante 5-3 Barcelona (Coutinho)
Barcelona have their third, and indeed Coutinho has his third, as the Brazilian finds the far corner with a wonderful strike. This is just a bonkers game of football.
You do get the feeling that there are another couple of goals in this match, and Barcelona look like scoring every time that they break forward at the moment. Levante need some relief here.
LEVANTE SUB! Lerma replaces Roger for the home side.
PENALTY BARCELONA!
BOOKING! Campana (Levante) is booked for dissent. The penalty was awarded when Boateng appeared to go through the back of Busquets. Quite harsh for me!
GOAL! Levante 5-4 Barcelona (Suarez, pen)
Luis Suarez sends the ball straight down the middle of the goal!
Levante just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Still the best part of 15 minutes to play in this match.
CLOSE! Luis Suarez heads a Denis free kick just over!
The match is just so incredibly open, and that will suit Barcelona, and especially Coutinho, who has been magic for the away side tonight. Still the best part of 15 minutes to play here.
Barcelona continue to knock on the door as Coutinho drives into the box before smashing towards goal, but Luis Suarez is ruled offside, and Levante have a free kick.
LEVANTE SUB! Boateng is replaced by Pazzini.
Mina has had a very difficult game for Barcelona tonight, and Morales is still giving him the runaround with 81 minutes on the clock. The home side have been better in the last few minutes.
Morales brings a decent stop from Ter Stegen as Levante threaten.
CLOSE! Luna has just turned a low Coutinho cross past his own goal!
Little over five minutes of the second period remaining, and you do get the feeling that there is going to be at least one more big chance. Coutinho has just danced to the edge of the box before having a go, but his effort was always rising over the Levante crossbar.
LEVANTE SUB! Rochina replaces Morales for the home side.
Rochina finds Bardhi in a wide position, but the number 10 is ruled offside.
BOOKINGS! Luis Suarez (Barcelona) and Lerma (Levante) are both booked following a clash. Not too sure about the booking for Lerma - he did not do too much!
BOOKING! Denis Suarez (Barcelona) is booked for dissent.
MISS! Rochina somehow misses from close range following a poor Busquets pass. What a miss!
We are into the first of four additional minutes here.
Levante continue to clear everything that comes into their box here.
Time is running out here, and Levante are almost there.
Mina is penalised for jumping into the Levante goalkeeper here.
BOOKING! Pique (Barcelona) is booked for dissent.
BOOKING! Mina (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Pazzini.
FULL-TIME: Levante 5-4 Barcelona
What an incredible night of football! Barcelona lose for the first time in La Liga this season as Levante beat them 5-4! Just a bonkers 90 minutes of action in Valencia. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live La Liga coverage once again. Until next time!
