Barcelona reclaim La Liga lead with comfortable win over Levante

Barcelona secured a straightforward 3-0 win against Levante to return to the top of La Liga on Sunday.

Following Real Madrids 2-1 loss to Osasuna on Saturday, Hansi Flicks team now leads their fierce competitors by one point after easing past the 19th-placed side at Camp Nou.

Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong established a strong advantage in the opening half, while Fermin Lopez sealed the result with an impressive long-range strike towards the end.

Barcelona were relieved to resume winning after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final last week, followed by a 2-1 loss to Girona on Monday in La Liga.

"I am delighted with the three points and contributing a goal to the team," Bernal said to Movistar.

"They did have an opportunity right at the start, but after my goal we managed to settle and gain assurance."

This marked Bernals second goal since his comeback from a serious knee problem that sidelined the 18-year-old for more than a year.

"During my celebration I was thinking of my father and my physio, who assured me I would score and supported me greatly throughout recovery," Bernal continued.

Even though Flick urged for better defensive solidity, Barcelona remained vulnerable, yet Levantes ineffective shooting prevented them from taking advantage.

Bernal opened the scoring for Barcelona thanks to fine play from Joao Cancelo, who shone on his infrequent starting appearance since joining on loan in January, and Eric Garcia.

Experienced Polish striker Robert Lewandowski might have made it two but struck the ball into the turf and over the crossbar from a promising position.

Cancelo struck the upright with a delivery intended for Lewandowski, before the Portuguese full-back created the second goal for De Jong with another precise pass from the left flank.

De Jong applied the finish to put Barcelona two goals up at halftime.

Garcia missed a chance to increase the lead soon after the interval by heading wide from Jules Koundes inviting centre.

In the end, replacement Lopez notched a stunning third, blasting a shot from distance that rebounded off the post into the net.

The playmaker could have claimed a fourth towards the close, but Levante keeper Mathew Ryan thwarted him with an excellent instinctive stop.

Flick managed to reintroduce midfielder Pedri off the bench following a month-long absence due to a hamstring issue, and the Spaniard will prove vital in the challenging period ahead.

The loss positions Levante seven points adrift of safety.

"During the first period we created some openings that, had we converted them, might have caused Barcelona to question their approach," Levante midfielder Carlos Alvarez commented.

"Had we taken the lead, the outcome might have been entirely different."

Earlier, Sevilla claimed a narrow 1-0 success at Getafe, while third-placed Villarreal will face Valencia later in the day.