Barcelona – Espanyol: Campeones (4-2)

A Robert Lewandoski brace, along with two goals from Alejandro Baldé and Jules Koundé crowned Barcelona LaLiga champions with four games to spare. Xavi’s side established absolute dominance since the kick-off whistle, with their crosstown rivals showing little resistance.
Tactical analysis and match report by Huu Trung.

“We want it today”

Barça’s official Twitter account stated every Culer’s wish a few hours prior to the match. The title race had indeed been efficiently over for some time now, but as Real Madrid had defeated Getafe 1-0 on Saturday, they would need to win this derby in order to be mathematically confirmed Spanish champions. Derbies are always special occasions, but this time it would be bigger than most.

For Espanyol, this derby would be no less crucial, albeit at the opposite end of the table. They came into the match on the back of a worrying run of form, having only managed to get four points out of their last ten fixtures, which resulted in them dropping into 19th position. Hopes were not yet lost for the side, as they were just three points behind Valencia’s 17th place, but another disappointing result could leave them in a vulnerable place coming in the remaining rounds.

However, it is also worth noting that Espanyol are a side that always tend to raise their level whenever they face their neighbors, regardless of their current form. This season, they are one of the only three sides that have managed to leave Camp Nou with a point, and are the only side apart from Real Madrid to score a goal there.

In possession, Barcelona deployed their usual three-box-three shape, with Baldé pushed up . . .