Barça Campeones
Barcelona crowned LaLiga champions in style with a 4-2 win over rivals Espanyol.
Four years is a long time in football. Especially for a club like Barcelona, who have seen the title end up in Madrid in each of the last three seasons. Finally, for the first time since 2018/19, Barça are champions again. Yes, it has looked inevitable for some weeks now, but there is nothing like the official confirmation to seal it. To do so in the field of their closest rivals Espanyol makes it all the sweeter. Not even the disgraceful pitch invasion from Espanyol fans at the end could sour the feeling for Culers.
They were indeed disgraceful and deplorable scenes as fans streamed onto the pitch towards the players, who were forced to run to the tunnel for cover. It raised questions about the preparation of security, the level of Barça’s celebrations, whether they were provocative or not, and the consequences in terms of punishment and sanction for Espanyol and those individuals.
The last title came in the reign of Josep Bartomeu, under the coaching of Ernesto Valverde, and his squad included players like Clément Lenglet, Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitić, Luis Suárez and of course Leo Messi. It was their eighth title in 11 seasons. All of those individuals are long gone, the club enduring turbulence and heartache in the subsequent years. There was Bayern, Setién, the burofax, Laporta’s return, Messi’s emotional departure, five consecutive Clásico defeats, and further European underperformance. But in their former idol, there was hope.
A relative novice in coaching terms, Xavi arrived at the club’s lowest domestic ebb since the early 2000s. Having sacked Ronald Koeman and appointed interim Sergi Barjuán, the club were ninth in LaLiga and 12 points off the pace set by Real Madrid at the top of the table when Joan Laporta finally convinced Xavi to return.
His first game was the Derbi Barceloní, and in a coincidentally cyclical happenstance, Espanyol were the opposition again when his first LaLiga title as a coach was confirmed. Barça narrowly won Xavi’s first game thanks to a Memphis penalty. Óscar Mingueza started that game, as did Nico González and Ilias Akhomach. Only four of the starters from that day also started at the RCDE this Sunday night. The performance and result were worlds apart too. A 4-2 thrashing, which could have been more had Barça not taken their foot off the accelerator at 4-0 early in the second half.
“The feeling is magnificent, a job well done. It has been ten months of sacrifice, effort... This gives stability to the project. We must continue on this path".
A delighted Xavi speaking to the press after the game.
While performances have not always been convincing, the numbers tell their own story. Barça are champions with four games to spare, having only dropped 17 points all season. The defensive record is the most eye-catching, however. Only 13 conceded in 34 matches, Marc-André ter Stegen keeping 25 clean sheets in the process, at the gates of the all-time Spanish top-flight record.
The defensive line in front of the German has also been crucial. Summer signings Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen, alongside Ronald Araújo and Alejandro Balde have been superb for the Catalans. A joint-record 11 victories by a single goal to nil is testament to that.
Through midfield, Sergio Busquets has been largely magnificent as his era at the club comes to its crescendo. Frenkie de Jong has put the speculation behind him to really grow into his role, and youngsters Pedri and Gavi hold the keys to the future.
Up top star signing Robert Lewandowski has lived up to his billing, set for the Pichichi in his debut season, racking up 20 league goals and 30 in all competitions – the first Barça player to do that in his first season since Ronaldo. The marksman was ably supported by a rejuvenated Ousmane Dembélé, the man whistled vociferously by his own supporters last spring, while Raphinha contributed in the Frenchman’s absence.
As fans gathered to celebrate at the habitual location of the Canaletes fountain on La Rambla, chants for the return of Leo Messi broke out. This was the first title won without the Argentine in the squad since 1998/99, and Laporta said the club will do all it can to secure his romanticised return. The virtuous cycle is in full swing. There will be time for debate about what that means for the structure and setup of the team, as well as the roles for players like Gavi, but for now the celebrations can begin. After all, Barça have been waiting four years for this moment.