After four seasons away, Barça are heading back to the Ciutat de València stadium this Saturday at 9.30pm CEST. Thanks to Levante’s brilliant campaign in the Segunda División last year, where they clinched the league title and secured a return to the top flight, the Catalans are set to play at the ground once more.

The last time Barça visited? April 2022, in what turned out to be Levante’s final season in La Liga before dropping down. That evening ended in dramatic fashion, with Luuk de Jong grabbing a last-gasp winner to seal a 3-2 victory. Now, three and a half years on, Hansi Flick’s side return to a venue that holds more than a few happy memories.

Two leagues won

Winning the league is always a moment to savour. And Barça have done it not once, but twice at the Ciutat de València. The first title came in the 2004/05 season, when Frank Rijkaard’s side only needed a point, and they got it with a 1–1 draw, courtesy of a goal from Samuel Eto’o. That was enough to crown Barça champions of Spain for the first time in five years.

Fast forward six seasons to 2010/11, and lightning struck again. Once more it ended 1–1, and once again Barça were crowned champions. Seydou Keita was on target that night, and despite a Levante equaliser, it didn’t stop Pep Guardiola’s men from celebrating their third consecutive league title, capping a golden era for the club under the legendary coach.

All in all, the Ciutat de València has been a happy hunting ground for the culers. Will history repeat itself this weekend? We’ll soon find out.

Ara, el Ciutat de València tornarà a acollir la visita del vigent campió de Lliga en un partit entre dos equips que donen espectacle i gols. Els últims dos precedents a l’estadi granota van ser un 2-3 per al Barça, a la temporada 2021/22, i un empat a 3 a la temporada 2020/21. Veurem què passa aquest dissabte. 

Força Barça