Barcelona, amid the absence of the legendary Lionel Messi, triumphantly rejoice their conquest of the Spanish league by overpowering Espanyol 4-2 in a riveting encounter Sunday.
Unfortunately, the festivities had been dampened by a bunch of unruly Espanyol followers storming the sector and inflicting the Barcelona gamers to make a hasty retreat to the sanctuary of the locker room.
Displaying a powerful efficiency, Robert Lewandowski’s brace propelled the Catalan membership to their first league title since 2019, with 4 rounds nonetheless remaining within the competitors.
This superb feat arrives two years after Messi’s departure amid the membership’s monetary turmoil.
Notably, the final occasion Barcelona reveled in a league victory with out the influential presence of “La Pulga” dates again to the 1998-99 season.
Messi joined the primary group in 2004-05 and clinched the league title in his debut marketing campaign.
However, the jubilant environment on the pitch was short-lived as a deluge of fervent Espanyol supporters from the extremely part behind the objective charged towards the Barcelona gamers, singing and reveling within the heart.
Security personnel swiftly intervened, however riot police needed to fortify the tunnel entrance to forestall the unruly followers from infiltrating.
Regrettably, the supporters resorted to hurling chairs and different objects of their frustration.
Besides Lewandowski’s heroics, Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde additionally contributed to Barcelona’s triumph by discovering the again of the web.
With this victory, Barcelona now boast a powerful complete of 27 league titles, trailing their arch-rivals Real Madrid by a mere eight.
Atletico Madrid, at present positioned third, languish 16 factors behind after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Elche, who at present occupy the underside spot within the league standings.
Securing an insurmountable 85 factors from 34 matches, Barcelona emphatically claimed the highest spot, establishing a 14-point lead over Madrid, who secured a 1-0 victory towards Getafe on Saturday.
A exceptional defensive document, conceding solely 13 objectives all through the season, cements Barcelona’s dominance, surpassing some other membership by a staggering margin of 14 objectives.
The group has additionally amassed a powerful tally of 25 clear sheets.
Exultant at their exceptional accomplishment, Barcelona coach Xavi expressed his elation, stating, “It’s an exhilarating feeling, a testament to a job well done. This triumph provides the club’s project with much-needed stability. The league title signifies that we have followed the correct path and must continue to do so.”
Previously, Barcelona clinched the Spanish Super Cup in January, marking their first main trophy following Messi’s departure.
This achievement arrives as a welcome end result following President Joan Laporta’s proactive measures to restructure the membership’s debt and rejuvenate the squad with the addition of notable gamers resembling Lewandowski, Kounde, and Raphinha.
Laporta joined the gamers within the locker room to revel within the celebrations.
Lewandowski wasted no time in making an influence in the course of the match, opening the scoring within the eleventh minute from shut vary after a well-executed cross from Balde.
The 19-year-old left-back showcased his prowess by doubling Barcelona’s lead simply 9 minutes later, capitalizing on a move from Pedri to safe his first league objective for the membership.
Lewandowski, main the league’s scoring charts with a powerful 21 objectives, struck once more within the fortieth minute, changing a low cross from Raphinha throughout a swift counterattack.
Kounde additional bolstered Barcelona’s benefit within the 53rd minute, heading the ball into the web following a protracted move from Frenkie de Jong.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
