Barcelona blew their chance to finish the season unbeaten, losing a crazy game in Levante that had two hat-tricks, nine goals, and a defensive horror show from the Spanish champions.
Phillipe Coutinho will never forget his first Barcelona hat-trick. He did more than most to prevent an historic defeat – scoring three goals but ending up on the losing side.
Lionel Messi had been left at home resting and it would be easy to conclude his absence cost Barcelona their unbeaten record but Barcelona had no problems scoring. It was stopping Levante from doing likewise that they could not manage.
Emmanuel Boateng also grabbed a hat-trick as Yerry Mina struggled at the back, firstly with Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen alongside him, then Gerard Pique when the former Arsenal man hobbled off with a hamstring injury.
After the madness, Sergio Busquets reflected: ‘Clearly we wanted to finish the season unbeaten but this takes nothing away from the great season we have had.
‘If a team scores five against you it is very difficult to come away with anything from the game.
‘We had chances to draw the game but it was not to be. We have still had an incredible season to be proud of.’
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