Barcelona players were chased from the pitch by angry Espanyol supporters as they celebrated their La Liga triumph, with coach Xavi Hernandez saying it was hard to “control” the team’s emotions after winning.
The Catalan giants thrashed Espanyol 4-2 at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella and celebrated on the pitch at full-time, with around 100 Espanyol fans invading the pitch.
Barcelona players sprinted down the tunnel to safety and Xavi said his team had to be respectful as they were not in their stadium.
“It was a very emotional moment, a moment very hard not to celebrate, after so many months of working,” Xavi told reporters.
“We didn’t celebrate just because we were at Espanyol’s ground.”
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The coach said he did not see the supporters rushing onto the pitch as he had already headed in and had told his players to follow.
“I told them to come in because I thought that was enough,” Xavi told Movistar. “The celebration is normal, but I know we’re not at home and we can’t lack respect.
“I know (emotions are) difficult to control but I told them the best thing would be to get inside now.”
Barcelona won La Liga for the first time since 2019, wrestling the title back from rivals Real Madrid.
The Catalan giants clinched their 27th Spanish championship at the home of their neighbours, with scenes turning ugly at full time as celebrating Barcelona players were chased from the field by pitch invaders.
Robert Lewandowski struck twice for Barcelona, along with goals for Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde, while Javi Puado and Joselu pulled two back late on for the hosts.
Barcelona have endured a troubled period on and off the pitch in recent years but their triumph signals significant improvement, with coach Xavi Hernandez winning his first major trophy since taking over in November 2021.
President Joan Laporta’s rebuild was widely criticised last summer in light of the club’s perilous financial situation.
Early Champions League elimination was a blow, but the club won the Spanish Super Cup in January, before sealing La Liga glory with four games to spare.
The coach said that the victory was proof that the club was heading in the right direction.
“(It brings) a lot of calm, a lot of hope for the future,” said Xavi. “I am very happy. We did a great job, a league won with four games remaining, that’s to the absolute merit of the team.”
