Barcelona's hopes of completing an unbeaten La Liga season ended in
thrilling fashion on Sunday May 13,2018 as the champions suffered a shock 5-4 defeat
at Levante in their 37th and penultimate game of the campaign after
resting talisman Lionel Messi.
Levante raced into a remarkable 5-1 lead against the double winners after 56 minutes with a hat-trick from Ghanaian striker Emmanuel Boateng and two goals from Macedonian international Enis Bardhi
Yet Philippe Coutinho also completed a hat-trick and Luis Suarez scored from the penalty spot as Barca fought back to set up a tense finale.
Yet, ultimately, despite coming close to a late equaliser, they failed in their bid to become the first team since Real Madrid in 1931-32, and the first since the league was expanded from 10 teams, to complete a league campaign without losing.
The shock of the season saw Barca suffer their first league loss since going down 2-0 to Malaga on April 8, 2017, ending an incredible, record-breaking sequence that had lasted 43 games.
It was the first time Barca had conceded five goals in a Liga game since they were beaten 5-1 at Malaga in December 2003.
The defeat also put the spotlight on Valverde's decision to rest his serial match-winner Messi -- not for the first time this season, but still a rare occurrence -- so close to achieving the unbeaten domestic campaign.
Levante raced into a remarkable 5-1 lead against the double winners after 56 minutes with a hat-trick from Ghanaian striker Emmanuel Boateng and two goals from Macedonian international Enis Bardhi
Yet Philippe Coutinho also completed a hat-trick and Luis Suarez scored from the penalty spot as Barca fought back to set up a tense finale.
Yet, ultimately, despite coming close to a late equaliser, they failed in their bid to become the first team since Real Madrid in 1931-32, and the first since the league was expanded from 10 teams, to complete a league campaign without losing.
The shock of the season saw Barca suffer their first league loss since going down 2-0 to Malaga on April 8, 2017, ending an incredible, record-breaking sequence that had lasted 43 games.
It was the first time Barca had conceded five goals in a Liga game since they were beaten 5-1 at Malaga in December 2003.
The defeat also put the spotlight on Valverde's decision to rest his serial match-winner Messi -- not for the first time this season, but still a rare occurrence -- so close to achieving the unbeaten domestic campaign.
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