Lamine Yamal (left) led Barcelona to the league title. © APA/afp / MANAURE QUINTERO

After the shock of the accident: Barça is champion

Overshadowed by an accident near the stadium, FC Barcelona with coach Hansi Flick completed the double early.

16 May 2025

From: dpa/det

Following their triumph in the cup final, Barça secured the Spanish league title with a 2-0 win in the city derby against Espanyol, thanks to goals from young star Lamine Yamal (53rd minute) and Fermín López (90th+5). Arch-rivals Real Madrid will no longer be able to catch Flick's team in the final two matchdays of the La Liga.

The mood, however, was dampened. A car had driven into a waiting crowd of football fans before the derby. According to new police reports, 15 people were injured near the stadium, none of them seriously. Initially, 13 injuries had been reported. Police initially assumed it was an accident in which an elderly female driver lost control of her vehicle, according to the newspaper La Vanguardia reported.

Flick sends players to the dressing room immediately

Perhaps that's why Barça decided against a boisterous championship celebration on the pitch. Flick briefly high-fived his superstar Yamal and then quickly ordered his players to the locker room. Especially since the sprinklers were also turning on on the pitch.

A big party took place in the stands. © ANSA / Quique Garcia

"The second half of the season in particular was incredible. We didn't lose a single game, which is fantastic. Congratulations to the team and the club. We are very happy," Flick said at Movistar +.

The match was briefly interrupted a few minutes after kickoff. The referee ran to the touchline and consulted with officials and a police officer. The match then resumed. It was announced over the stadium's loudspeaker system that no one had been seriously injured.

Season has only one flaw

After that, Barça struggled for a long time – but were once again able to rely on a stroke of genius from 17-year-old Yamal. His stunning goal from around 17 meters into the top corner paved the way for the victory and Barça's 28th league title overall. Record champions Real Madrid, who lost the Copa del Rey final to FC Barcelona at the end of last month, are on 36.

Fermin Lopez put the lid on it. © ANSA / Enric Fontcuberta

After punching Yamal in the stomach, Espanyol player Leandro Cabrera was shown the red card for violent conduct in the 80th minute. The goal that made it 2-0 in stoppage time was also impressive.

The Inter-Trauma

For Flick, it's his first league title abroad. He won the German championship with FC Bayern Munich in 2020 and 2021. The Catalans' season under Flick has only one flaw: their early exit from the European championships. In the Champions League semifinals, his team had two spectacular duels with Bayern's conquerors Inter, losing 3-3 and 3-4 after extra time. "I suffered a bit after the semifinal in Milan," Flick admitted.

Flick took over the club last year as Xavi's successor and convinced critics with his work and strong results. His contract extension until 2026 is reportedly already verbally confirmed. He is the third German coach at FC Barcelona, ​​following Hennes Weisweiler and Udo Lattek.