Barcelona Look to Keep Clean-Sheet Streak Alive Against Levante

Barcelona have yet to find their best form under Luis Enrique, yet the Catalans have played well enough to win all four of their matches this season without conceding a single goal. Every day the Blaugrana looks stronger, and that trend should continue.

On Sunday, Barcelona will travel to face La Liga opponent Levante, and all signs point to the clean-sheet streak continuing. If recent form is anything to go by, Luis Enrique’s men should not have much trouble at all this weekend.

When comparing Barcelona and Levante, it is truly a tale of two completely different teams.

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Barcelona has managed to find the back of the net seven times this season without conceding a single goal. On the other hand, Levante has conceded five goals already without scoring a single goal in the process.

On paper, this should be a simple one. Barcelona has the talent to trample Levante on the road and run away with the score. Enrique rested several starters against Apoel, so the Catalans can field a very deadly lineup on Sunday.

Before the season even began, Levante looked like one of the clubs that would face a relegation battle this year. Having lost a few key pieces, Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side are weak and still trying to figure out their identity as a squad.

Through the first few weeks of action, all the preconceived ideas about Levante have been proven true.

Les Granotes are shaky at the back and struggle to create chances to attack. The only bright spot for the team is the double pivot of Simao and Mohamed Sissoko, but even that can be suspect at times.

And while Levante’s defense looks like a wall that has fallen apart, Barcelona’s attack is growing more deadly with each passing day.

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Lionel Messi has returned to his usual self while Neymar seems to have found his place in the team. Add in youngster Munir El Haddadi to the mix and the Catalans have a trident that can cause real trouble.

Though anything can happen in the game of football, there seems to be no way Levante will be able to hold Barcelona at bay. But what of Barcelona’s defense?

Going four games without conceding a single goal is truly a massive feat for the Barcelona defense that, in recent years, has been far from strong. Something is different.

On the surface, Enrique has already begun to make changes to the back line. Defenders are being asked to give extra focus to staying back and it is paying off. At the same time, set pieces have become less of a threat to La Blaugrana after tormenting the club regularly over the past few years.

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The likes of Gerard Pique and Marc Bartra have looked very strong in defense since the arrival of Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen. Perhaps the new competition has forced the Catalans to step up this year, and if that is the case, it sure is working.

It is true that Barcelona’s defense has yet to be truly tested this year, apart from last weekend’s match against Athletic Club Bilbao. Levante will not provide much danger for the Blaugrana either, though they will certainly try.

Going into the match at Cuitat de Valencia, Barcelona fans are certainly expecting a big victory. However, what most will be looking for is whether or not the team can do so while keeping yet another clean sheet.

It will be all eyes on the defense come Sunday, and fans are right to be excited about what they have seen thus far. Messi and company will make sure goals are scored and three points are secured, but the true pressure lies on the defenders who are looking to show they finally do have it all together this year.

Will Barcelona keep another clean sheet? Can Levante make things difficult for their visitors on Sunday? Leave your thoughts and comments below!