FC Barcelona resume their Liga campaign with a second away trip. After getting off to a strong start with a 3-0 defeat of Mallorca, the next challenge is Levante on Saturday at 9.30pm CEST. The Valencia-based side are back in the top flight for the first time in four years after winning the second division last season.

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The opposition

The Ciutat de Valencia is sure to be packed for this one. It marks the long-awaited return of La Liga action to the stadium and against the defending champions, no less. But the home fans will be hoping for a better result than they got last week, a 2-1 loss away to Alavés.

The game means a first appearance in front of the home fans for the many signings made by 'the frogs' over the summer, including Jon Ander Olasagasti, who arrives from Real Sociedad, and Argentine centre-back Matias Moreno, who is on loan from Fiorentina. Germany U23 international Jeremy Toljan was the scorer of Levante's only goal so far this season, and left-back Manu Sánchez is an interesting acquisition from Celta.

Two key players that helped the side win promotion last season, each contributing eleven goals to the cause, are still at the club. The Barça defence will need to keep a very close eye on both 'the commander' José Luis Morales and fellow goal-getter Roger Brugué.

Head to head

Levante have only ever beaten Barça six times in La Liga. However that is no reason for the Catalans to feel complacent. When Barça at home, they invariably win and often by huge margins. But at the Ciutat de Valencia it's a different story.

In fact, three of their last six visits to the club (two in the league and one in the cup) resulted in wins for Levante, including that painful 5-4 defeat in 2018 that prevented Barça from going a whole season undefeated.

The last time Barça were here was in 2022, and although they won that time, it was a close call, with Luuk de Jong coming to the rescue deep into injury time to win the game 3-2.

LEVANTE V BARÇA: DID YOU KNOW?

Team news

The great news from the Barça camp is that Robert Lewandowski is back for this one. A hamstring problem meant the Pole played no part in the win in Mallorca, but he has been training as normal the last few days and on Saturday morning it was officially confirmed that he available for selection again. Whether he will start is down to Hansi Flick to decide.

The season has only just started, but Levante already have fitness concerns to worry about. Alan Matturro, Kervin Arriaga and Alfonso Pastor are all unavailable, and Goduine Koyalipou of the Central African Republic is also a big doubt.

The managers say

Hansi Flick (Barça): "Levante have a strong defence, and they're also very good with their transitions. When they win the ball, they are very quick." FULL STORY HERE

Julián Calero (Levante): "We know how hard Barça are to contain if they get too near to your goal, so wee need to make them feel uncomfortable. There will be no gifts or red carpet treatment from us."

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