Without Messi, Barcelona loses to Levante in Copa del Rey

MADRID (AP) — Barcelona could not overcome the absence of Lionel Messi and other regular starters on Thursday, losing 2-1 at Levante in the first leg of the Copa del Rey’s round of 16.
Barcelona’s second-stringers struggled from the start in Valencia, escaping an even greater defeat only because Levante’s forwards squandered some clear scoring chances.
The return game is next Thursday at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, when the four-time defending champion is expected to h