Lionel Messi fittingly scored the goal which ensured Barcelona retained their LaLiga title.
The Argentina international was rested for the first half of Saturday’s clash with Levante as coach Ernesto Valverde had one eye on next week’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool.
But he was introduced at the start of the second half and went on to net the winner – his 34th league goal of another outstanding season.
4
Lionel Messi celebrates with the Liga trophy
4
Barcelona players celebrate with the Liga trophy
With three matches remaining, a nine-point lead over Atletico Madrid and a superior head-to-head, an eighth title in 11 years was secured, although amazingly it was the first time since 2010 they had clinched it at the Nou Camp.
They remain on track for a third treble since 2009 with the Copa del Rey final against Valencia next month.
However, it was far from straightforward against opponents who belied their position just three points clear of the relegation zone with a bold display which could, and probably should, have earned them a point.
Philippe Coutinho looked to be giving that little bit extra with a visit from his former club on the horizon and he could have had a first-half hat-trick as Barca’s best chances fell to him.
The best by far was a 25th-minute free header eight yards out which he directed straight at Aitor Fernandez, having seconds earlier failed to properly test the goalkeeper when finding space on the left of the penalty area.
Coutinho also hit the crossbar with a free-kick having taken responsibility off another ex-Red Luis Suarez, who was first to test Fernandez with a shot on the run he took early to catch out his opponent only to see his effort turned behind.
Messi replaced Coutinho for the start of the second half and was soon into his stride, although a run and low shot was comfortable for Fernandez, while Ivan Rakitic bent a shot just wide.
There was, however, only one man who was going to score the goal which retained the title and in the 62nd minute Messi struck, controlling Arturo Vidal’s header with one touch back onto his left foot before placing a shot beyond Fernandez and inside the far post.
4
Lionel Messi fires home the match winner for Barca
4
Messi celebrates his goal against Levante which secured the title for Barca
But Levante’s confident performance up to that point had proved they had not come to the Nou Camp to wave through Barca’s title coronation and substitute Jose Luis Morales should have scored when he out-paced the defence but he blazed over.
Despite the lead Barcelona were far from convincing, offering hope to Liverpool they can nick a crucial away goal or two next week, and in the last minute another substitute Enis Bardhi hit the post to almost spoil the party.
Oxford United have been served a winding-up petition by Kassam Stadium landlord Firoka. A hearing date has been set for May 22 after court papers were issued on Wednesday to the League One club
Oxford United: Kassam Stadium landlords Firoka serve winding
Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been named as the caretaker manager of the football club. The Norwegian striker made 366 appearances for United and scored 126 goals
Manchester United news RECAP as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hired as
It continues an unwanted statistic for the Barcelona and Uruguay striker, who leaves Old Trafford having failed to score an away goal in the Champions League in 1,303 days or 1,601 minutes. Suarez's last Champions League away goal came in a 1-1 draw with Roma in September 2015.
Man United fan Hughie Fury, Joseph Parker at Old Trafford
May 10, 2017 · Inside Everton's efforts to become a Premier League giant Dixie Dean, whose mark of 60 goals in a season still stands as a record and has mythical status similar to that of the Bambino's 60
ESPN: The Worldwide Leader in Sports - ESPN
Barcelona vs Manchester United FREE live stream: How to watch without paying extra, plus TV channel, kick-off time and line-ups It's a huge night of Champions League quarter-final action this
Barcelona vs Liverpool FREE live stream: How to watch without
Vincent Kompany: Five player-managers who prove Manchester
Liverpool target Ruben Neves raves about Jurgen Klopp's men… on Wolves' official website Liverpool target Ruben Neves has intensified speculation he could be set for a summer move to Anfield - by lavishing praise on Jurgen Klopp's men on talkSPORT 1 week ago ´Magical´ Liverpool will only improve
Liverpool hope to turn around Europa semi and - One News Page
Liverpool asked Benfica B to mirror Tottenham's tactics and style in friendly to help them prepare for C during the 4-0 Champions League semi-final second-leg
Chelsea news: Jorginho tells Maurizio Sarri not to take
Transfer news and football gossip: Chelsea and Arsenal approach Insigne, Man United scout Barella, Tottenham's Christian Eriksen 'agrees' to join Real Madrid talkSPORT - 02 May 2019 Take a look at all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Thursday's papers and online, featuring Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United
Liverpool v Tottenham - Football Betting & Match Preview
Tottenham Hotspur. #COYS! Stansted Airport wish Tottenham luck in Champions League Final with departure board messages. standard.co.uk - ALEX YOUNG. Stansted Airport stuck their colours to the mast - wing? - as they welcomed Tottenham fans travelling to the Champions League Final. Ahead of the …
#COYS! Stansted Airport wish Tottenham luck in UCL Final
Tottenham new stadium latest: Spurs train at £1billion ground for first time Harry Kane and co will begin life at their new home with the visit of Crystal Palace next Wednesday Video
~ Tottenham new stadium latest: Spurs to train at £1billion
Xavi has defended Messi after Barcelona's Champions League exit. still has a few good years left to win the Champions League again. to Lionel Messi heroics against Liverpool in Champions
Lionel Messi 'left behind by Barcelona team bus' after
Bolton MUST complete their two outstanding Championship games
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona: Reds' ballboy hero revealed to play for Anfield club's academy - talkSPORT; Luis Suarez: Barcelona forward could miss Copa del Rey final - BBC Sport; Ronaldo blames Lionel Messi and defends Philippe Coutinho after Barcelona's defeat to Liverpool - Metro.co.uk
Liverpool fans salute 14-year-old ball boy who helped Reds to
No comments:
Post a Comment