Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was praised for getting his celebrating gamers off the pitch as tensions threatened to spill over after they secured the LaLiga title on Thursday with a 2-0 win at Espanyol.
It was the second time in three years Barça have received the league at their metropolis rivals, with their triumph in 2023 marred by house supporters breaching the pitch and chasing the visiting gamers down the tunnel.
Flick ensured these scenes weren’t repeated this time, marching his gamers off because the sprinklers have been turned on and an elevated safety presence managed the perimeter.
“Flick was a gentleman,” Espanyol coach Manolo González mentioned of his counterpart’s actions after the sport in a information convention. “He grabbed his gamers, bought them off the pitch and bought them within the dressing room.
“It would not make any sense to generate something greater once they’re capable of have fun inside [away from Espanyol fans] or over the subsequent week.
“Two years in the past, there was a large number right here as a result of no widespread sense was utilized. We’ve to congratulate Flick as a result of he handled it properly. He is a very good coach and a gentleman on high of it.”
There was a tense ambiance as the total time whistle approached on the RCDE Stadium after a troublesome night for the house supporters.
The sport had begun with chants of “Droop the match,” and was briefly halted after one supporter bought onto the pitch after a automotive collided with followers exterior the stadium earlier than kickoff, leaving greater than a dozen injured, however none critically.
Native police mentioned the motive force had been detained, however that it remained unclear whether or not the incident had been an accident.
Lamine Yamal gave Barça the lead early within the second half with a shocking left-footed strike earlier than Leandro Cabrera was despatched off for elbowing {the teenager}.
Fermín López sealed the victory in stoppage time, prompting celebrations within the nook that irked Espanyol and led to clashes between the 2 units of the gamers on the finish of the sport.
“On the pitch it was clear we can’t have fun there,” Flick mentioned in a information convention. “Two years in the past, I do not need to have this, it is also respect concerning the followers right here.
“We have fun within the dressing room, it was nice, improbable. The gamers can try this.”
The victory moved Barça seven factors away from second-placed Actual Madrid with simply two video games to go, confirming them as Spanish champions for the twenty eighth time of their historical past.
It additionally accomplished a home treble in Flick’s first season on the membership, after success within the Spanish Supercopa and the Copa del Rey, and the staff will have fun with an open-top bus parade by town Friday.
“Go and have fun,” was Flick’s message to the supporters. “Tomorrow I believe I’ll stand a bit of within the again, see what occurs and revel in it.
“After I see the individuals smiling, for me it is the best factor. I hope everybody enjoys this parade tomorrow.”
