Barcelona emerges triumphant in the Spanish league, marking their first league victory since 2019, and notably, Lionel Messi was absent…
Barcelona secures the league trophy after Messi’s departure with a 4-2 win against Espanyol on Sunday. However, the match mars with an unfortunate incident as Espanyol fans storm the pitch at the end of the game, forcing the Barcelona players to head for the locker room.
Robert Lewandowski plays a crucial role in Barcelona’s league triumph, leading the way with two goals. The team clinches the title with four rounds remaining, signifying their resilience in the face of Messi’s departure amidst the club’s financial challenges.
Robert Lewandoski increases his goal tally for the season to 21
This victory marks the first time since 1998-99 that Barcelona celebrates a league title without Messi in the squad. Messi joined the first team in 2004-05 and secured the title in that season.
Although some Espanyol fans’ unruly behavior shortens the on-field celebrations, Barcelona’s achievement remains remarkable. Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé also contribute to the team’s success with their goals. Barcelona now boasts 27 league titles, trailing eight behind their arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid, in third place, lags 16 points behind after a 1-0 defeat to Elche earlier on Sunday.
Barcelona Players celebrating a goal
Barcelona dominates the league since the 13th round and possesses the league’s best defense, conceding only 13 goals, which is 14 fewer than any other club. They also record an impressive 25 clean sheets.
Barcelona coach Xavi expresses satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It’s a magnificent feeling, a feeling of a job well done. This league title demonstrates that we have followed the right path and brings stability to the club’s project.”
The recent triumph follows Barcelona’s victory in the Spanish Super Cup in January, marking their first major trophy without Messi. Under the leadership of President Joan Laporta, the club implements measures to restructure their debt and revamp the squad, including players like Lewandowski, Koundé, and Raphinha. Laporta joins the players in the locker room to celebrate the achievement.
During the game against Espanyol, Lewandowski opens the scoring in the 11th minute, followed by Balde’s goal in the 20th minute. Lewandowski extends Barcelona’s lead in the 40th minute, capitalizing on a cross from Raphinha. Koundé seals the victory with a header in the 53rd minute, assisted by a precise pass from Frenkie de Jong.
The defeat deals a significant blow to Espanyol’s fight against relegation as they remain second-to-last in the league, four points away from safety. Espanyol struggles in their recent matches, managing only one win in their last ten games, along with a draw and eight losses. After being relegated in 2020 for the first time in nearly three decades, Espanyol makes a swift return to the top flight as the second-division champions.
Barcelona’s midfielder Sergio Busquets, who will depart the club at the end of the season, celebrates his 32nd title with the team, expressing his joy at leaving with an important trophy like the Spanish league.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid suffers a setback in their quest for a higher league position, losing to already-relegated Elche. This defeat also hampers their chances of mathematically securing a spot in next season’s Champions League, although they can still achieve this.
