Espart played through cramps as Flick admits substitution came too late

Xavi Espart experienced both extremes of football during Barcelona’s 4-2 victory over Levante. He opened the scoring in the fifth minute, but his misplaced pass later allowed the hosts to begin an unexpected comeback.

Only after the match did Hansi Flick reveal an important detail: Espart had been suffering from cramps before the mistake. The Barcelona coach defended the youngster and admitted he should have replaced him earlier.

FROM OPENING THE SCORING TO OPENING THE DOOR

Espart gave Barcelona an ideal start before Lamine Yamal added two more goals, including a penalty just 42 seconds after half-time. At 3-0, the contest appeared to be under control.

That changed in the 78th minute. Espart’s loose pass was intercepted by Iván Romero, who went around Joan García and scored for Levante. Roger Brugué then made it 3-2 with two minutes of normal time remaining.

A comfortable victory had suddenly become an anxious finish. Karim Adeyemi eventually settled the match with an individual goal in the 93rd minute.

FLICK ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY

Flick explained afterwards that Espart had already been struggling physically before Levante’s first goal. Rather than blaming the player, the coach acknowledged that the substitution should have been made sooner.

It was an honest admission, but it also exposed an avoidable decision. Barcelona left a visibly affected player on the pitch until his physical condition became part of a costly mistake. Only then did the danger become impossible to ignore.

The final score allowed the issue to remain a warning rather than become the main story of dropped points. Adeyemi’s late goal made that distinction considerably easier.

THE RESULT HID A NERVOUS FINISH

Flick also admitted that Barcelona must improve their positioning and passing. He was pleased with the result but recognised that the team had allowed Levante back into a match that should have been finished.

Barcelona secured a fifth league victory from five games, maintaining their perfect start to the season. The final stages at the Estadi Ciutat de València were less convincing.

Espart should not carry the blame alone. His coach made that clear. If a player is already suffering from cramps, waiting for the warning to become a mistake is hardly the most elegant way to manage a three-goal lead.