Global Courant 2023-05-15 12:23:34
Lewandowski helps Barcelona clinch their 19th La Liga title, but the celebrations are cut short when Espanyol fans storm the pitch.
Barcelona are celebrating their first Spanish league title since Lionel Messi left the football club two years ago amid the club’s financial problems.
The Spanish club recorded a 4-2 victory over Espanyol on Sunday in a match marred by Espanyol fans who stormed the pitch at the end of the game, forcing the Barcelona players to go to their dressing rooms.
Robert Lewandowski scored twice to lead the Catalan club to its first league title since 2019. The title was secured with four rounds to go.
The last time Barcelona celebrated a league title without Messi in his squad was in 1998/99. He entered the first team in 2004–05 and won the title that season.
The festivities on the pitch were short-lived as players had to rush to the dressing room after a large group of Espanyol fans from the ultra section started running behind one of the goals towards the chanting and celebrating Barcelona players in the centre.
Security guards quickly intervened, but riot police had to stand in front of the entrance to the tunnel to prevent the fans from entering. The supporters threw chairs and other objects.
Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé also scored for Barcelona, who now have 27 league titles, eight fewer than Real Madrid. Third-placed Atletico Madrid are 16 points behind after losing 1-0 to last-place Elche earlier in the day.
Fans celebrate in the street after Barcelona won Spain’s La Liga championship, in Barcelona, Spain, May 14, 2023 (Joan Mateu Parra/AP Photo)
‘Beautiful feeling’
The victory over fellow townsman Espanyol gave Barcelona an insurmountable 85 points from 34 games, 14 points more than Madrid, which won 1-0 at Getafe on Saturday.
Barcelona have been in the lead since the 13th round and have the best defense in the league with 13 goals conceded – 14 better than any other club. They also have 25 clean sheets.
“It’s a great feeling, a feeling of a job well done,” said Barcelona coach Xavi. “This is important to give the club’s project some stability. The league title shows that things have gone well and that we need to stay on track.”
Xavi + Barcelona = pic.twitter.com/cEOHOOtAfc
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 14, 2023
Barcelona won eight league titles in 11 seasons through 2019. They finished second to Madrid in 2020, then third – behind Madrid and champions Atletico – in 2021. They came second to Madrid last season.
Barcelona’s first title without Messi came in January in the Spanish Super Cup.
The club had yet to win a major trophy since president Joan Laporta took action to restructure their debts and revamp the squad with the likes of Lewandowski, Jules Koundé and Raphinha. Laporta celebrated with the players in the locker room.
Lewandowski opened the score from close range in the 11th minute on Sunday after a cross from Alejandro Balde. The 19-year-old left back took the lead nine minutes later through a pass from Pedri, scoring his first league goal for the club.
Lewandowski, the league’s top scorer with 21 goals, added his second in the 40th after a low cross from Raphinha in a breakaway. Koundé scored the fourth in the 53rd with a header on a long pass from Frenkie de Jong. It was also his first league goal with the club.
The title is ours. pic.twitter.com/Ft4kUBhlMW
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 15, 2023
The sweet farewell of Busquets
The victory will be an emotional event for captain Sergio Busquets, who announced last week that he will be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season after 15 years.
It was the midfielder’s ninth LaLiga title and 32nd overall with the club. His trophy cabinet also includes three Champions Leagues, seven Copa del Rey and three FIFA Club World Cups, as well as his success at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with Spain.
“I’m really happy, I think we had a spectacular campaign and ended it today with a nice win,” Busquets told Movistar Plus.
“We are a solid team, a well-oiled squad with an excellent defense and that’s how champions are built.
“I’m proud of what we’ve done all season, being solid and regular, winning the games we should be playing and not dropping any points. It has been a remarkable season and I am so happy to be able to close my history here like this.”
Update complete. pic.twitter.com/G2l1A8mVPr
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 14, 2023
Espanyol’s hopes of survival were dashed
The loss was a major blow to Espanyol in their fight against relegation. They remained penultimate, four points out of safety.
Espanyol had won just once in their last 10 league matches, with a draw and eight defeats. They were relegated in 2020 for the first time in nearly three decades, returning to the top flight on their first attempt as Second Division champions.
Javi Puado scored Espanyol’s first goal in the 73rd and Joselu added the second in stoppage time as the Barcelona players got ready to celebrate.
