Hansi Flick started Marcus Rashford with Raphinha moved centrally and Marc Casadó alongside Pedri in place of Frenkie de Jong. Levante led 2-0 at half after an Iván Romero strike and a José Luis Morales penalty. Flick reverted to a more familiar Barcelona shape at half-time, bringing on Dani Olmo and Gavi for Rashford and Casadó. Pedri and Ferran Torres scored early in the second half and an Unai Elgezabal stoppage-time own goal, created by Lamine Yamal's right-wing play, completed a 3-2 comeback. Torres credited halftime tactical tweaks and emphasis on character; Flick noted Rashford's promising moments and positional adjustments.
But after Levante took a 2-0 lead into the break -- thanks to an Iván Romero strike and a José Luis Morales penalty -- Flick went back to a more familiar Barça side at half-time, replacing Rashford and Casadó with Dani Olmo and Gavi. Pedri and Torres were on target early in the second half as Barça levelled the game, with Unai Elgezabal heading in a stoppage-time own goal after good work from Lamine Yamal on the right wing to complete the turnaround.
"[Flick] gave us a couple of tactical tweaks [at half-time] because we weren't well-positioned," Torres told reporters after the game. "And, most importantly, he said that we had to show our character, that winning gene we have. We came out well and were effective." Barça made a habit of coming from behind to win games last season but would not have expected to have to do so again so early in the new campaign against newly-promoted Levante.
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