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It was a championship that required a lot of effort. To be crowned four days from the end means that we have worked very well. I hope it's the first title of an era of splendor," said Joan Laporta after the victory against Espanyol's neighbor Barcelona (4-2) which gave the title to his family. The president of the Blaugrana club is well placed to know that his club has gone through many turbulences in recent seasons and that this coronation has a special flavor.
To discover
- Liga standings
- Liga schedule and results
This new trophy is acquired in a way that is or could have been FC Barcelona in the collective imagination. Far from the precepts dear to Pep Guardiola, coach of the Catalan club between 2008 and 2012, Xavi, his former technical leader who has since become a coach, has imposed a much more pragmatic paw since his arrival in 2021.
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Xavi was instrumental. Beyond his knowledge of football, he knows the club, its style. He has worked hard so that we can offer quality football. He was instrumental. We have a great coach there. We are already working on next season's team," the president told BarçaTV.
Because Xavi seems set to settle in the long term on the Blaugrana bench. His results in the league suggest that he is the right man to build the future serenely. In La Liga, his team reigned masterfully. With a record of 27 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses in 35 rounds, the competition could only reap crumbs. Real Madrid (2nd) and Atletico (3rd) have been behind for a while and are respectively 14 and 15 points.
An iron defense and narrow successes
The real strength of the Catalans lies in its pragmatism and defensive base. Victorious 11 times on the score of 1-0, they especially impressed the observers thanks to a completely impervious rearguard. With 13 goals conceded, FC Barcelona has the best defense of the 5 major championships, far ahead of its runner-up in the category, Napoli (25).
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We laid the foundations for a championship team. It is the coronation of regularity. The one we set ourselves as a goal from the beginning. I wanted to leave the club by winning an important title, like La Liga. So I'm very happy to leave like this," said Sergio Busquets, the club's captain, after the derby against Espanyol.
Accomplished in the league, we must not hide the mediocre performances of the Blaugranas in other competitions. Whether in the Champions League or the Copa del Rey, eliminations have been a stain. Released prematurely in C1 (the club did not go beyond the group stage), Xavi's men also received a monumental slap at Camp Nou against Real Madrid in the semi-final return of the Cup (0-4). After these disappointments, the club quickly refocused on La Liga.
The Catalans have been waiting for this title since the 2018-2019 season, a time when Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were still the heyday of the club. Since then, the squad has been renewed in depth and this Sunday evening, it was no less than 15 players who won their first La Liga with the jersey of FC Barcelona.
A Ter Stegen found and an effective Lewandowski
Around a backbone composed of neophytes like Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Baldé or Raphinha and alumni like Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets or Frenkie De Jong, the club was able to count on a Marc-André Ter Stegen found in goal and a Robert Lewandowski, arrived in the summer from Bayern Munich, who immediately blended into the collective and showed the efficiency we know him (top scorer in La Liga with 21 goals).
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It is a wonderful feeling, after more than 10 months of work, sacrifices. For the fans, for the club, for our project, this title is vital. We must continue on this path. It is an extraordinary La Liga, which must be celebrated at its true value, "said this Sunday evening Xavi at a press conference. His new look FC Barcelona has a bright future ahead of him.