The Catalans’ dominant 4-2 win at city rivals Espanyol sealed their first La Liga title in four years – and the first they won without Lionel Messi since the one they lifted in 1999! The Camp Nou club was crowned champion of Spain ten times in the meantime – and the legendary Argentine was an integral part of the team in each of those. This is a new era, indeed!Pressed by financial problems and transfer restrictions from the Spanish football governing body, the popular club assembled a team capable of competing with Real Madrid. And surprisingly, Xavi Hernandez and his players were dominant from start to finish, and besides a few blips in form, proved worthy winners of the Spanish top tier for the first time since the 2018/19 campaign.FC BARCELONA: THE CHAMPIONS OF SPAIN! 🏆🎉 pic.twitter.com/EFxMFYx4Jo— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) May 14, 2023 Tonight, Barca’s long-serving midfielder and captain Sergio Busquets won his last La Liga title, having announced he’ll be leaving the club at the end of the season. He’ll probably play in Saudi Arabia next season. Have we mentioned this is the end of an era?Robert Lewandowski picked a nice night to grab his 20th (and 21st) goal of the season. The former Bayern goalscorer opened the scoring with barely 10 minutes gone, prodding into the net from Balde’s downward header.Robert Lewandowski is the first Barcelona player to score 30+ goals across all competitions in his debut season since Ronaldo in 1996/97.R9 🤝 RL9 pic.twitter.com/AruWoM4U35— Squawka (@Squawka) May 14, 2023 Balde himself doubled the lead from close range from an inviting Pedri pass. Lewa made it three with a simple finish after an inviting low cross from former Leeds United winger Raphinha.The half-time break came and went, and Barca continued to pound Espanol and all but confirm their relegation from La Liga. Jules Kounde, another player who joined the Camp Nou club ahead of his season, headed at the far post from a delightful lofted pass from Frenkie De Jong.XAVI BROUGHT LA LIGA BACK TO BARCELONA 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/fuJA9XU0xr— GOAL (@goal) May 14, 2023 Xavi won eight La Liga titles as a Barcelona player, and now he’s got one as his beloved club’s coach. He also won a few trophies in Qatar as a manager before returning to Barca. His managerial career has started pretty well, it has to be said.Barca have only conceded 11 goals this season, having kept nine clean sheets out of the last 12 games across all competitions. There wasn’t to be one tonight, though, as substitute Javier Puado evaded the offside trap and beat Marc-Andre Ter Stegen with a nice chipped finish and former Newcastle man Joselu scored another with the last kick of the game to make it 4-2. Still, just 13 conceded goals for Xavi’s team this season. Impressive.Five men have won LaLiga with Barcelona as a player and a manager:◎ Josep Samitier◎ Johan Cruyff◎ Pep Guardiola◎ Luis Enrique◉ XaviFollowing in the footsteps of legends. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hxmKRlPjIy— Squawka (@Squawka) May 14, 2023 Many Espanyol fans departed the stadium long before the final whistle, not wanting to watch their rivals celebrate the title win there while they stare relegation in the face. It’s going to be a hard year ahead for them.Barcelona sealed the win as their fans celebrated wildly into the night – but the players’ celebrations on the pitch were quickly cut short after a few dozens of Espanyol fans stormed the pitch, angry with what they’d just witnessed.Barcelona players in the tunnel after Espanyol fans rushed the pitch. pic.twitter.com/i4GcM6JwSq— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 14, 2023 The real celebrations will be held next weekend when Barca hosts Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 34FridayMallorca – Cadiz 1-0 (1-0)/Maffeo 16/SaturdaySociedad – Girona 2-2 (0-0)/Oyarzabal 5 pen, Silva 24 – Couto 37, Stuani 45+3/Osasuna – Almeria 3-1 (0-0)/Budimir 46, Ezzalzouli 51, Gomez 81 – Lazaro 90+2/Villareal – Ath.Bilbao 5-1 (2-1)/Baena 24, 90, Jackson 37, 50, Paredes 61 – Sancet 45+3 pen/Real Madrid – Getafe 1-0 (0-0)/Asensio 70/Sunday Celta Vigo – Valencia 1-2 (0-1)/Seferovic 60 – Kluivert 8, Mari 88/Elche – Atletico Madrid 1-0 (1-0)/Fidel 41/Valladolid – Sevilla 0-3 (0-0)/Mir 50, Papu 79, Coorna 90+4/Espanyol – Barcelona 2-4 (0-3)/Puado 74, Joselu 90+2 – Lewandowski 11, 40, Balde 20, Kounde 53/Monday 22.00: (1.99) Betis (3.50) Rayo Vallecano (4.40)***odds are subject to change***
