Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde was delighted with their 5-0 win at Levante.

Lionel Messi shone for the Catalans as the Argentine bagged three goals and provided two assists.

"We are happy because last year we played here and conceded five after a whole season without losing," Valverde said.

"That was only a few months ago, they are having a great season and they keep showing that.

"We remembered last year and we managed to put it behind us and leave with a clean sheet."

Levante started well on Sunday but ultimately fell short and Valverde says he expected the game to begin as it did.

"They started as we imagined," he said.

"We had to change the setup based on the casualties we had so it was difficult for us and they squeezed us.

"They're able to score and dangerous when they counterattack but we had the fortune of opening the score."