Three talking points from Barcelona’s Copa del Rey defeat at Levante

Ernesto Valverde left most of his stars out of this one with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba all given the night off.

It was the right call too as it allowed youngsters Chumi and Juan Miranda to gain another start, Carles Alena also played 90 minutes and we got to see Malcom again.

The Copa del Rey is Barcelona’s lowest priority, and with a packed fixture list over the next few months, there was no point whatsover in risking key players.