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La Liga | Gameweek 16
Dec 16, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Barcelona face trip to only team that beat them in LaLiga last season

:Headline: Barcelona face trip to only team that beat them in LaLiga last season: ID:344304: from db_amp
Barca suffered their only league loss of last season at Levante in the penultimate game.

Barcelona will be out for revenge when they head to Valencia to take on Levante on Sunday.

It will be Barca’s first trip to the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia since the penultimate game of last season.

Ernesto Valverde’s side were looking to complete a landmark unbeaten LaLiga campaign only to lose 5-4 in a remarkable game that at one stage saw them trailing 5-1.

Valverde expects the memory to provide extra motivation, saying in comments reported by marca.com: “They are a team with a clear identity. They are doing well and getting great results.

“Their good form is a continuation of last season, when we suffered a lot when we went there and they were the only opponent who beat us. It won’t be hard to motivate the team, though, because we are playing for top spot.

“Maybe it isn’t a game like the derby but we know what happened there last season and that has to serve as an incentive for us.”

Barca can again move three points clear of Atletico Madrid and may have Malcom and Sergi Roberto available after both returned to training on Friday.

Levante coach Paco Lopez does not feel last season’s result will have any bearing but his side will go into the match feeling confident after a fine start to this campaign, which includes a victory over Real Madrid.

“Each game is a different story and different things can be taken away from them,” he said. “We have seen good things from this group as a team but the emotions and moments aren’t the same.

“Managing to surprise Barcelona is something very few teams achieve each year and you can count on the fingers of one hand how often it happens. It takes a special set of circumstances, like against Madrid, and you must reach your maximum potential as a team.

“If we can show our identity and implement our plan then we will have a better chance of winning. We aren’t afraid of playing against Barcelona.”

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1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97
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