Barcelona clinched its 22nd Spanish
league title, and fourth in five seasons, when Real Madrid was held to a
1-1 draw at the Catalan club’s crosstown rival Espanyol on Saturday.
Madrid had staved off Barcelona’s title
celebration by winning its last three games, but the titleholders failed
to delay it any longer.
“I have to congratulate Barcelona, its
coaches, players, board, and fans,” said Madrid coach Jose Mourinho. “It
just won a league that was ours until today, and the least we can do is
to congratulate them.”
Espanyol’s Cristian Stuani opened the
scoring in the 23rd minute. Gonzalo Higuain levelled in the 58th, but
Madrid couldn’t find the winner even with Cristiano Ronaldo going on to
help.
Barcelona sealed the league with a seven-point lead and four games to go, and with Madrid having only six more points in play.
“The best gift, turning 29 and winning
the league… the prize for the work of the entire year,” Barcelona
midfielder Andres Iniesta, who turned 29 on Saturday, wrote on Twitter.
Crowds immediately gathered in
Barcelona’s city centre to toast the trophy, and the club announced on
its website that it would hold a parade on Monday to celebrate its
latest piece of silverware, and its only one of the season.
But Barcelona still has something to
play for in its remaining four games, starting with a trip to
third-place Atletico Madrid on Sunday: winning would mean it matches
Madrid’s claim to the best campaign ever from last season when it hauled
in a record 100 points.
“Our first objective is to win the
league,” said Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova. “Reaching 100 points isn’t a
title, but now that we don’t have games midweek we can play each one in
better shape. If we can go for it we will try to do so.”
Madrid’s game at Espanyol was a
microcosm of its season: too little, and too late. Madrid stumbled at
the start of the league campaign and then when it started to reel off
wins, Barcelona was too far ahead.
Espanyol finished with 10 men after
Victor Sanchez was shown a red card for a low tackle on Higuain with
Madrid looking for a second goal.
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