Barcelona can look back on a perfect weekend. While Real Madrid lost in La Liga, the Catalans comfortably beat Levante. Frenkie de Jong played a major role with a goal, all under the watchful eye of national team coach Ronald Koeman.
FC Barcelona beat Levante 3-0, rounding off a weekend that could hardly have gone better for Hansi Flick’s side in the title race.
As always, Barcelona and Real Madrid are closely intertwined at the top of La Liga, trading momentum from week to week. The Catalans had been setting the pace for a long spell, but their slip against Girona allowed Real Madrid to climb back to the summit after spending a long time chasing. On Saturday, however, the leaders stumbled again: Real Madrid went down 2-1 away to Osasuna, opening the door for Barcelona to reclaim first place with a victory of their own. Barcelona did not hesitate. They handled Levante with composure, control and a sharp edge in the decisive moments, taking three points and moving back above their biggest rivals.
There was also an important backdrop in terms of workload and rhythm. Real Madrid had been in Champions League knockout-round action the previous week against Benfica, while Barcelona were spared midweek commitments because they have already secured a place in the round of 16. That extra breathing space was reflected in the freshness of Barcelona’s start and the energy of their pressing. Flick went with his usual attacking weapons and a line-up built to dominate the ball: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski were again trusted to provide the cutting thrust, and Frenkie de Jong wore the armband in midfield.
De Jong’s inclusion was noteworthy for another reason too. Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman was in the stands, and the captain’s performance was an ideal advertisement, not only because of his influence in possession but also because he finally got back on the scoresheet. Barcelona have often relied on De Jong to set tempo, escape pressure and connect phases, yet goals have been rare. This time he combined leadership with a decisive contribution in the box.
Barcelona’s intent was clear almost immediately. After only four minutes, the game already had the feel of an afternoon that would be played largely on Barcelona’s terms. Marc Bernal surged into Levante’s penalty area and met a perfectly weighted delivery from Eric García, sliding the ball home for 1-0. The early goal settled the stadium, settled the players, and forced Levante into a reactive approach far earlier than they would have wanted.
Levante tried to keep their lines compact, but Barcelona’s movement between the lines and their willingness to attack the spaces behind made it difficult to hold the shape. Barcelona continued to create moments, and when João Cancelo struck the post, it felt more like a warning than a turning point. Not long after, De Jong had his moment. He timed a smart run into depth, arrived in the right space at the right time, and finished calmly to make it 2-0. It was the kind of goal that underlined how comfortable Barcelona were: midfielders arriving late, full-backs supporting, forwards stretching defenders, and Levante struggling to manage the constant switching of positions.
The goal was also significant personally for De Jong. He has already racked up five assists this season, reflecting his importance in build-up and the final pass, but until this match he had not found the net. His previous Barcelona goal had come back in January of the last calendar year, against Valencia, which made this finish feel like a long overdue reward for a player who often does the unglamorous work that makes everyone else shine.
After the break, the match shifted into a different gear. Barcelona were in control and did not need to chase chaos. They managed possession, kept Levante at arm’s length and reduced the game to a question of whether a third goal would arrive, rather than whether the result was in danger. Levante, for their part, looked for small wins: a better spell on the ball, a couple of forward carries, a set piece that might at least create doubt. But Barcelona’s structure and calm circulation prevented any sustained pressure.
One of the notable second-half moments for Levante was the introduction of Tai Abed. The former PSV player had barely featured since joining, having played just one minute for his new club prior to this match, and he was given a more meaningful run-out here, adding a little over twenty minutes to his total. Even if the game was slipping away, it was a valuable opportunity for him to build rhythm and show what he can offer, especially in a tough environment like Camp Nou.
The closing statement belonged to Barcelona, and it was delivered with style. Fermín López came on and provided the final flourish, unleashing a powerful strike from outside the area. His shot cannoned in off the inside of the post, making it 3-0 and putting a definitive seal on a performance that had been professional from start to finish, with just enough sparkle to keep the crowd satisfied.
In terms of the broader picture, the win matters as much for what happened elsewhere as for what Barcelona did themselves. By taking advantage of Real Madrid’s slip, Barcelona move back above them in the standings. The gap is now one point, in Barcelona’s favour, a margin that keeps pressure high on every matchday and rewards consistency more than reputation. The direct showdown between the two giants is still some distance away, with El Clásico not scheduled until 10 May at Camp Nou, but weekends like this shape title races long before the headline fixtures arrive.
For Flick, this was the ideal kind of league afternoon: an early goal to remove uncertainty, strong leadership from De Jong, controlled game management after the interval, and attacking depth from the bench. For Koeman, it was a timely live viewing of a key international player delivering both influence and an end product. And for Barcelona supporters, it was a reminder that in tight races, the best teams are the ones who punish a rival’s mistake immediately.
Updated: 07:29, 22 Feb 2026
