Levante vs Barcelona preview - Messi back on song - Xavi

Posted Saturday, January 18, 2014 by PA

Xavi reckons Lionel Messi is back to his best - which is worrying news for Levante, who will be looking to avoid another drubbing when they host Barcelona on Sunday.

For Levante coach Joaquin Caparros, August 18 2013 will go down as one of the least enjoyable dates during his 33-year management career.

Two months after taking over the reins from Juan Ignacio Martinez, Caparros watched on in dismay as his Levante side were hammered 7-0 by Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Messi scored twice that day, but his form has been tempered somewhat by a series of muscle injuries - the latest one a hamstring problem that kept him out from November until the start of January.

The bad news for Levante is that the 26-year-old is over his fitness problems. That much was evident on Thursday when he skipped past four Getafe players and scored his second of the night in Barca's 2-0 win in the Copa del Rey.

"Since Messi came back from Argentina (where he went to recuperate from his injury), he's been happy," Barcelona midfielder Xavi told the club's website.

"He scored two goals on Thursday and now he's back to his usual form."

Barcelona's reward for beating Getafe 6-0 on aggregate is a quarter-final meeting with Levante, whom they play on Sunday at the Ciutat de Valencia.

The league remains Barcelona's priority domestically this season and coach Gerardo Martino knows victory is a must, especially with rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both at home this weekend.

Still, after making light work of Getafe with a much-changed team, Xavi believes confidence is high within the Barca camp.

"We are doing well, we're playing well regardless of who plays, the team's level doesn't drop," said the midfielder, who played his 700th match for the club in the second leg.

"Everyone is comfortable here, we feel important. We're enjoying this and we're playing good football."

Barca, who are ahead of Atletico at the top on goal difference, are expected to be without Neymar after the Brazilian forward sprained ankle ligaments on Thursday.

Caparros, on the other hand, has David Navarro and Baba Diawara back from injury but will be without former Real Madrid man David Barral, who is suspended after picking up five yellow cards.

Barral scored the winner in Levante's 1-0 cup win over Rayo Vallecano in midweek and he was looking forward to facing the Blaugrana.

"It's a shame that I can't play against Barcelona (on Sunday)," the 30-year-old told his club's website.

"Everyone in the world wants to play against them. I hope that the team can get something from the game without me."

Levante fans rejoiced after seeing their team make it through to the last eight of the Copa del Rey for just the fourth time in their 105-year history.

But given that Levante are seven points above the relegation zone, Barral knows he and his team-mates must first concentrate on the task in hand - survival.

"We have to think about the league," he said.

"We need the points to keep us in the league and that is our primary objective."