Preview: Barcelona will be out to avenge their 1-1 draw from the weekend
The Blaugrana were not all that impressive in their latest match against Levante, but they will be looking to change that. Fortunately for Tata Martino's squad, Atletico Madrid was able to drop points at home, which allows Barcelona to remain top of La Liga.
On Wednesday, both sides will go head to head once again, in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final.
Being able to take on an opponent that you just drew will give both sides a chance to prove their true value. For Barcelona, they will want to show their doubters that mishaps will occur, while Levante will be out to prove that the draw at the weekend was not coincidental.
One of the concerns from their 1-1 draw was Barcelona's inability to create much offense. The Catalans are normally very quick to get forward, causing all sorts of problems, but you just did not get that feeling in their last match. If they are going to win the first leg at the Estadio Cuidad de Valencia, they will need to be more productive in front of goal. But in Barcelona's defense, Levante's goalkeeper Keylor Navas had a few brilliant saves.
Dealing with the disappointing result will be important for the visitors. Cesc Fabregas was one of many who were not happy with the result or the performance on Sunday.
"I was upset because of the match, not because I was being subbed," Fabregas said in regards to reporters questioning his discontent with a second half substitution. "I felt good and we were creating chances. It was the frustration you get when you get into that area but the ball just doesn't want to go in."
Sharing Cesc's discontent was Tata Martino, but the Barcelona manager does not seem worried heading into Wednesday's match.
"The result is a bit negative, because this is not what we came here to play for," Martino told reporters after the game. "But I would be worried if we regressed in our play, because that would lessen our chance of winning the league. This game does not worry me because out of ten, we win nine times."
Martino's players will have to prove that on Wednesday, against a Levante side that will more than likely take a similar approach.
The hosts sat back and absorbed pressure, hoping to hit Barcelona on the counter-attack. They had a few breaks going forward, but their goal came on a set piece. When playing such a deep line, set-pieces become extremely important, so they will once again try to get any free-kicks in Barcelona's midfield.
But seeing as this is a two match elimination, Levante will really want to grab a goal or two at home. Knowing that the second match is at the Nou Camp, sitting back and not scoring any goals in their own stadium could be very problematic heading into the second leg.
Where to watch this match - live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Levante vs Barcelona live on Wednesday, January 22, 2014:
In Canada at 16:00 ET on: beIN Sports Play Canada
In the UK at 21:00 GMT on: Sky Sports 2/HD, NOW TV, Sky Go
In the USA at 16:00 ET on: beIN Sports en Español, beIN Sports Play
If you are outside of these viewing areas, please visit the Levante vs Barcelona match page for full TV listings.
