Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani
Alves, Busquets, Abidal, Maxwell (Milito 76'); Xavi, Mascherano (Thiago 48'),
Iniesta; Pedro, Bojan (Keita 64'), David Villa. 4-3-3.
Levante:
Reina; Cerra, Nano, Robusté, Del Horno; Pallardó; Xisco
Nadal (Valdo 70'), Xavi Torres, Larrea, Juanlu (Xisco Muñoz 72'); Rafa
Jordà (Stuani 70'). 4-1-4-1.
Goals:
1-0. 47. Pedro. Controlled Dani Alves pass and fired
shot inside near post.
2-0. 59. Pedro. Struck first time shot wide of Reina
from Dani Alves cross.
2-1. 80. Stuani. Connected with Valdo's lofted pass
to volley shot past Valdés.
Yellow cards: Nano 45', Bojan 45', Xavi 88', Busquets 88', Stuani 91'.
Barcelona started off the new year with another win, although they had some problems before beating Levante 2-1. The visitors were looking to restore a bit of pride after letting in eight against Real Madrid in the cup, and for the first 45 minutes they held off a Barcelona side who were missing Leo Messi, Guardiola having given the Argentinian star a couple more days rest after a long year. However two minutes after the restart Pedro latched on to a Dani Alves pass to fire a shot past Reina, and twelve minutes later the pair repeated the act for the forward to score his second of the evening. Pedro almost completed a hat-trick a few minutes later when he lobbed a shot on to the crossbar, but with ten minutes to go Stuani fired a spectacular volley past Valdés to set up a nervous last few minutes. After the final whistle Xavi was presented with an award for equalling Migueli's all time record of 549 appearances for the club.