DeskReport
Barcelona understood the equation before taking the field against Espanyol that if they win, they will have the opportunity to celebrate the title. But the Catalans played a disjointed football in the first half on the opponent’s field. They did not score a single goal. Is the wait for the title increasing? When the fans were in a dark mood, Yamal scored a dazzling goal. After the break, Yamal scored a goal, and Fermin Lopez scored another goal. Barcelona won the 28th La Liga title by defeating Espanyol 2-0 at the RCDE Stadium.
Espanyol played the last 10 minutes of the Catalan derby last night with one man down. Barcelona regained the La Liga title after a season. However, Real Madrid, the record 36th champion, is the one who is the winner. Playing against city rivals, it is hard to believe that there will not be some scuffles. Angry Espanyol fans entered the field during the title celebration at this very field in 2023. Coach Hansi Flick had said before the match that his players should not overdo it if they win the title this time. Rafinha and Lopez did celebrate a little. They also had some scuffles with Espanyol players. However, the situation was quickly resolved.
After the Copa del Rey, La Liga, German coach Flick won the domestic ‘double’ in his first season in charge of Barcelona. In addition, his team also won the Spanish Super Cup by crushing Real Madrid in the final last January. They were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Barcelona has 85 points from 36 matches with 27 wins and 4 draws. Real is second with 78 points from the same number of matches. Barca has beaten Real four times in El Clasico this season. And Barcelona has remained unbeaten in 28 consecutive matches in La Liga against Espanyol.
Flick made three changes to the starting eleven against Espanyol. Robert Lewandowski returned to La Liga after three games after recovering from injury. Barcelona were on the verge of scoring in the fourth minute. Espanyol’s Urco Gonzalez missed a great chance. He received a pass from a teammate in the box and could not put a low shot on target.
The referee suddenly stopped the game in the seventh minute. He was seen talking to the Espanyol goalkeeper and later to the stadium security staff. Originally, a car was driven into a crowd outside the stadium before the match started, injuring 13 people. When the stadium loudspeaker announced, “Warning, we inform you that the incident outside the stadium is under control and no one is seriously injured,” the referee stopped the game. He resumed play shortly after.
Barcelona had their first significant chance in the 13th minute. A loose ball in front of the box, Lewandowski’s powerful right-footed shot, which avoided the obstacle of a defender, went just wide of the far post. Despite the attacks and counterattacks, neither team was able to create any clear-cut chances for the rest of the first half.
Yamal put Barcelona ahead with a brilliant goal in the 53rd minute. The Spanish forward gave the ball away to Dani Olmo outside the box on the right. There were two or three opponents in front at that time. The 17-year-old winger made space by moving forward and took a powerful left-footed shot from 20 yards, which went into the top corner of the far post.
Espanyol suffered another blow in the 80th minute. While trying to gain possession of the ball, home defender Leandro Cabrera was shown a straight red card for hitting Yamal in the stomach with his hand. The referee made the decision after checking the VAR monitor. In the 86th minute, Yamal received a loose ball in the box. This time his shot was not as powerful, and was easily saved by the goalkeeper. In the sixth minute of seven minutes of added time, Lopez, who replaced Lewandowski, doubled the lead and secured the title.
Yamal, who has created a stir in the football world with his excellent performances, has scored 17 goals and made 25 assists in 53 matches for Barcelona in all competitions this season
Yamal, who has caused a stir in the football world with his excellent performances, has scored 17 goals and provided 25 assists in 53 matches for Barcelona in all competitions this season.
