MADRID, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona faces a vital game on Sunday afternoon when Levante visits the Camp Nou Stadium with serious questions over Barcelona's recent form.

Barcelona surrendered the lead of La Liga on Monday with a 2-1 defeat away to Girona, which came just four days after a painful 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal.

The two defeats highlighted problems in the Barcelona defense, which was picked apart by both Girona and Atletico Madrid, although coach Hansi Flick has highlighted the root of the issue as failures in the club's high press that has allowed rivals to play the ball and find space.

Injuries to Raphinha and Marcus Rashford have clearly been part of the problem, with Rashford still sidelined and Raphinha working his way to full fitness, while their absences have also left the team looking unbalanced down the left.

Raphinha will start on Sunday, but Rashford is still out, although there was good news during the week when midfielders Pedri and Gavi both returned to training with the group. Pedri has been out for a month with a hamstring injury, while Gavi has been sidelined for several months after a knee operation and neither is likely to start.

Eric Garcia is also a slight doubt for Sunday with a thigh problem, although a week without a midweek match will have allowed Flick to recover tired legs among his players.

Levante travels to Barcelona in deep trouble after consecutive home defeats to Valencia and Villarreal has left Luis Castro's team second from bottom with just 18 points from 24 games - seven from safety. ■