It was always going to take a spectacular performance to trump a representative of Atletico Madrid to Player of the Week honours but David Barral’s hat-trick for Levante against Malaga did it. The 31-year-old doubled his tally for the season in one game and made the relegation picture a little rosier for Les Granotes.
Barral had indeed scored only three goals all season – and only one of them came in the League, back in November against Almeria. Barral netted a brace in the Copa del Rey in January – also against Malaga – but was later sent off, souring what could have been a remarkable evening. As it was Levante lost to Malaga on aggregate and Barral was dismissed in the dying moments.
There was no such bittersweet end on Saturday. Instead it was the start of the match that was a problem, Malaga taking the lead after Juanmi’s 24th-minute goal, a result of David Navarro’s absentmindedness. But Barral didn’t wallow – he levelled the scores two minutes later, scored his first penalty of the game 10 minutes after that and his second spot kick – third goal overall – just after the hour mark. It was a cool-headed hat-trick that delivered 70 EuroFantasyLeague points.
The victory ensured Levante aren’t cut adrift at the bottom, Lucas Alcaraz’s side at least keeping tabs on the teams above if not really climbing out of danger. It’s still as tight as anything at the foot of the table and with games against Barcelona and Real Madrid to come – next weekend and in mid-March respectively – it’s crucial Levante pick up points whenever possible.
Levante went into the visit of Malaga without a win in their last three League games and could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when Juanmi netted early. Had Barral not equalised so soon it could have gotten ugly – Malaga’s recent form has been mixed but they did beat Valencia in their last outing. Javi Gracia was unhappy with the officiating, particularly for the award of the first penalty, while Barral had ice in his veins.
Barral, a product of the Real Madrid academy without ever making the star-studded first team, has rarely been prolific in his career. Only once has he reached double figures for the year, back in 2008-09, when with Spoting Gijon as the Asturians finished 14th. It was also the first hat-trick of his career, Barral confessed after the match, and three of the most important goals any Levante player will score this season.
Having also lashed home the free-kick for Levante’s first goal, it was truly a one-man show. Kalu Uche added gloss to the score line but the game was all-but-won with Barral’s third knocked the stuffing out of Malaga. It was a much-needed win for the team, three much-needed goals for Barral, and perhaps welcomed by fans of Real Madrid as much as anyone – it took attention away from their derby drubbing, however briefly.
