Barcelona have clinched their first La Liga title since 2019, securing a 4-2 victory over city rivals Espanyol. This triumph marks Xavi’s first full season as the club’s manager, following his successful career as a player, during which he won eight league titles.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid, currently in second place, won 1-0 against Getafe on Saturday. Surprisingly, Atletico Madrid, positioned third in the table, suffered a 1-0 defeat against Elche earlier on Sunday, paving the way for Barcelona to secure the championship by defeating Espanyol.
Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, and Jules Kounde played pivotal roles in securing the title by scoring crucial goals.
Despite their triumph in the domestic league this season, Barcelona has experienced a mixed campaign. They faced early exits from both the Champions League and the Europa League, being eliminated in the group stage and against Manchester United, respectively. Nevertheless, they have managed to secure their first league title in four years.
Barcelona has now won La Liga for the 27th time, trailing their rivals Real, who have won it 35 times, by eight titles. Atletico Madrid holds the third position on the list with 11 championships to their name.
However, Barcelona’s on-field success is contrasted by financial difficulties. The club has faced significant economic challenges in recent years and continues to grapple with a substantial wage bill. As a result, they have taken various measures to remain financially stable.
Recently, Barcelona confirmed that Mateu Alemany, the director of football, will depart on June 30 to pursue a new professional project. Reports suggest that Aston Villa is finalizing a deal for him to join their senior football management.
In addition to Alemany’s departure, Xavi has acknowledged the need for a significant restructuring off the pitch, with uncertainty surrounding the future of sporting director Jordi Cruyff. Cruyff has played a vital role in navigating the club through challenging financial times, but his contract expires in the summer, and he is currently contemplating his position.
