MX23RW : Monday, December 23 04:46:32| >> :120:19916:19916:
[monks data]
Levante logo
La Liga
Jan 19, 2014 at 6pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-1

Vyntra (10')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Pique (19')

Barcelona held by Levante

Barcelona offer Atletico Madrid the opportunity to go top of La Liga by only drawing at Levante.

Barcelona have drawn in La Liga for the second straight game at Levante, offering Atletico Madrid the chance to take top spot later this evening.

Levante went in front in the 10th minute when Loukas Vyntra rose highest to plant Nabil El Zhar's corner past Victor Valdes.

Barcelona's defender Gerard Pique celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia Stadium in Valencia on January 19, 2014© Getty Images

Barca levelled with a similar goal before the 20th minute as Gerard Pique met Xavi's corner and found the bottom corner.

Chances were at a premium in the first half, with Xavi wasting the best opening by pulling Pedro's cutback wide.

Barca began the second half with plenty of the ball but didn't test Keylor Navas until after the hour mark when Lionel Messi's curling shot was kept out by the Costa Rican keeper.

Barcelona's Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez vies with Levante's Greek defender Nikos Karampelas during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia Stadium in Valencia on January 19, 2014© Getty Images

Levante then almost went back in front when Pedro Lopez found himself unmarked in the area, but couldn't hit the target from Ruben Garcia's cross.

Despite Barca's possession, they were struggling to break Levante down and Andreas Ivanschitz came close to a spectacular winner, but his curling effort was beaten out by Valdes.

The visitors pressed for a late winner but Levante held strong to move up to 11th in the table.

Barca move a point clear of Atletico, who face Sevilla at home at 8pm.

ID:131477: cacheID:131477:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4305:
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's defender Gerard Pique celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia Stadium in Valencia on January 19, 2014
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Levante level with Barca
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!