Barça 2-1 Levante UD: Hard fought win

Barça Women were facing one of their closest rivals in the league and this high quality match didn't disappoint. The 2-1 win over Levante UD included both great defence and swift attacking moves, but the midfield scored the goals to seal a sixth straight win in the Liga F and consolidate top spot.

Aitana pulls the strings

Barça were quick out of the blocks and soon in control of the game due to the high pressing tactics employed by Jonatan Giráldez and has coaching team. Levante UD just couldn't get out of their own half, with Aitana, Patri, and Engen patrolling the middle of the pitch. It was precisely the latter two who combined for the first goal, Patri heading a corner back across the box for Ingrid Engen to head in (1-0).

Levante's best chance was to counter at this point and Gemma Font was on her toes to snuff out the opponent's threat on several occasions. Barça keep piling forward, driven by the industrious Aitana. Before long and in her 200th game for the Club, the Catalan hit a left foot shot from the edge of the area across the keeper and into the far post to make it 2-0 after 40 minutes.

This just seemed to spur on the visitors, who responded quickly, breaking down the right before Antonia crossed for Redondo to head in at the far post, 2-1 and game on at half time.

Second half resolve 

The intention was clearly to try to put the game to bed after half time, but unfortunately despite working hard throughout the game, Geyse didn't have her shooting boots on today. Time and time again Barça flooded forward but another goal as reward for their efforts wasn't forthcoming. Summer signing Salma Paralluelo came on for her debut in the second half and almost rifled in a powerful shot from outside the area with her first touch.

Levante came more into the game as the pace dropped and they pushed for an equaliser, with Barça looking very dangerous on the counter. The last 10 minutes saw the home side's defence put to the test, but their resolve saw out a tough period to win their sixth game in a row in the Liga F.

Next up a very short trip to the Camp Municipal de Las Planes for the rearranged league match day one fixture against Levante Las Planas on 3 November.

Game stats

Barça, 2

Levante UD, 1

Barça: Gemma, Paredes, María León, Crnogorcevic (Oshoala min. 74), Mariona (Pina min. 74), Patri (Walsh min. 85), Aitana, Bronze, Rolfö, Geyse (Paralluelo min. 64) and Engen. 

Levante UD: María, Mendoza, Méndez, Antonia (Calligaris min. 68), Fernández (Pinto, min. 55), Ramírez (Erika González min. 88), Lloris (Ferez min. 68), Andonova, Redondo, Baños and Tomás.

Goals: 1-0, Engen (min. 14); 2-0, Aitana (min. 41); 2-1, Alba Redondo (min. 43)

Referees: Olatz Rivera, Elena Mianer, Marta Villanueva, Mireya Melero. Yellow card for Lloris from Levante UD (min. 30)