Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona: Teenager at the centre of the narrative as Flick’s side round off excellent season with their biggest prize
Yamal was the hero again with a beautiful curling shot from outside the area, as Barcelona officially confirmed their 28th La Liga title – the first under Hansi Flick, and in his first season.
Other rewards this season include the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. Barcelona fans will be hoping for more to come under the German manager.
It was always going to be tense coming to the RCDE Stadium for a title-clinching result. Espanyol are local rivals, which means that it pains them when Barcelona celebrate. Flick’s side needed a win to put the title to bed after their other fierce rivals Real Madrid scored late last night to delay the inevitable. Espanyol needed a win to cast aside any possibilities of relegation. It brought a nervy atmosphere to the game that remained all through the night.
The home side stood resolute for a long time as Barcelona dominated possession and tried to create chances without success. Then came Yamal’s individual moment of brilliance eight minutes into the second half. As he raised his hands at the night sky in a Bellinghamesque celebration, fate seemed written in the stars. This 17-year-old, surely the centre of the club’s future, would deliver the moment of note, with a goal worthy of the occasion.
Barcelona’s win over their local rivals continued a trend of clinching titles at Espanyol’s expense. A strange fact: La Blaugrana have now secured more La Liga crowns at the RCDE Stadium this century than at their own Nou Camp (three versus two).
In 2023 they also confirmed their title win on Espanyol’s turf, with the home side ultimately getting relegated that season. It was evident that they also tried their absolute best to prevent that repeating itself this season. Frustration boiled over late on and Espanyol defender Leandro Cabrera was shown a straight red for striking Yamal on the chest.
The teenager had one more chance to embellish the narrative. In stoppage time he provided an assist for Barcelona’s second, rolling the ball over to Fermin Lopez to finish in the bottom corner. What a season he’s had, and what a season for Barcelona.
