Copa del Rey 2018/19, Barcelona 3-0 Levante: 5 Talking Points

#2 False nine is a good alternative in Suarez's absence

False nine? No problem for Messi

Luis Suarez is one of the most valuable players at Ernesto Valverde's disposal. One of the major reasons for this is the lack of an outright backup for the Uruguayan.

Munir El Haddadi was the only alternative, and he was sold to Sevilla. This made the need for an alternative option to reduce Suarez even greater.

Lionel Messi played as a 'false nine' against Levante, flanked on either side by Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele.

It worked splendidly, as Barcelona scored three goals with ease. Messi set up two goals for Dembele and added the third himself. The interplay between the front three was brilliant to watch.

Suarez will replace Coutinho in Barca's strongest side, but Valverde will be glad to know that his backup plan works. As the Champions League draws nearer, it will come in handy to rest his star striker.