The Catalans, asleep throughout the first period, were surprised on the return from the locker room by a penalty converted by captain José Luis Morales (52nd) after a foul by Dani Alvés on Son in the box, and came close to the worst with another penalty from Roger Marti stopped by Marc-André ter Stegen (56th) after a handball from Eric Garcia on a corner...

Levante midfielder Jose Luis Morales (d) opens the scoring from the penalty spot against Barcelona, ​​at the end of the 31st day of LaLiga, on April 10, 2022 in Valencia JOSE JORDAN AFP

The Blaugranas managed to reverse the situation in stride thanks to a super ball served left footed by Ousmane Dembélé on the head of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the equalizer (59th), and thanks to the inevitable Pedri, who came into play seven minutes earlier in place of Nico, who took over a ball given back from Gavi (63rd).

Gabonese midfielder from Barcelona Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores with a header against Levante, at the end of the 31st day of LaLiga, on April 10, 2022 in Valencia JOSE JORDAN AFP

But in the 83rd, Gonzalo Melero gave hope to his people, by transforming a new penalty, the third of the match for Levante, after Clément Lenglet clumsily crushed the foot of Dani Gomez in the surface a few seconds after his entry into play instead. by Dani Alves.

And the outcome came in added time, in the 90th + 2: Luuk de Jong, who entered the game in the 84th in place of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, converted with a header a ball centered by Jordi Alba to deliver Barça , and bury the hopes of Levante.

Without prestige

An epic success but without prestige for Xavi's men, who did not show their best face four days before the decisive Europa League quarter-final at the Camp Nou against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday at 9:00 p.m. 'Eintracht).

Barcelona coach Xavi, during the last match of the 31st day of LaLiga against Levante, April 10, 2022 in Valencia JOSE JORDAN AFP

Because the scenario could have repeatedly turned against Barça.

From the 26th, Morales slalomed in the Catalan defense to offer himself a duel against Ter Stegen … but the German goalkeeper diverted his shot, and Eric Garcia saved the ball on his line.

And three minutes later, it was Ronald Araujo who tackled at the right time to counter a dangerous recovery from Roger Marti (29th).

The Catalans thus extend their good series to seven consecutive victories in La Liga.

Their last loss dates back more than four months, on December 4 at Camp Nou against Betis Sevilla.

And they still have one game less than Real or Sevilla FC, which they will catch on April 24 against Rayo Vallecano.

For Levante, the disillusion is terrible: the red lantern in the classification tied on points (22) with Alavés, glimpsed the possibility of a prestigious victory against the illustrious Barça of Xavi after beating Villarreal of Unai Emery last weekend ... but ended up losing, and will still have to fight for maintenance during the remaining seven days.

Levante players, dejected after their last-minute home defeat, 3-2 against Barcelona, ​​at the end of the 31st day of LaLiga, April 10, 2022 in Valencia JOSE JORDAN AFP

The "Granotas" remain seven lengths behind the first non-relegation player, Mallorca, surprise winner of Atlético Madrid on Saturday (1-0).

© 2022 AFP