2010 was an historic year for Barcelona in La Liga. During last year, Barcelona played 39 matches in La Liga, having won 33, drawn 4 and lost only 2. This means that, during 2010, Barcelona collected 103 points overall, which is an all-time record not only in La Liga but in every European league. If 2011 can be as good, then it is almost a guarantee that Barcelona will three-peat.
However, one of Barcelona's draws last year was precisely in the first game of the year, at Camp Nou against Villareal. Granted, Levante don't have the same quality as Villareal, but they shouldn't be taken lightly. They are fighting to avoid relegation and they'll try to take advantage of the fact that Barcelona players might not be in top form after the holidays to get points from Camp Nou. Barcelona will have to be very focused in order to collect the three points.
The blaugrana will be without Lionel Messi (who was authorized by Pep Guardiola to extend his holidays), Carles Puyol (slightly injured), Gerard Piqué (suspended) and Ibrahim Afellay (the market only opens on January 3), but that should not worry fans. After all, every Barcelona player is top quality, not only the usual starters. Whoevers starts tomorrow will certainly prove that they are up to it.
Tomorrow's match will also see the great Xavi Hernandez cementing his status as the ultimate Barcelona legend, as he will equal Migueli's club appearances record, with 549 appearances in 12 years playing for Barcelona's first team. Hopefully, he'll play for many more years and further establish his status as a football legend.
A legend like Xavi deserves to celebrate this landmark with a victory. We can't have it any other way...