La Liga

BARCELONA midfielder Sergio Busquets squared up to a group of crazed Espanyol fans who were attempting to attack him and his teammates on Sunday.The Catalan giants were CHASED off the pitch at the RCDE Stadium following their 4-2 win over relegation-threatened Espanyol, which subsequently saw them claim their first La Liga title in four years.
Busquets squared up to crazed Espanyol fans in the tunnelCredit: Twitter
The fans attempted to push past security to get to the playersCredit: Twitter
Busquets had to be pulled away by his teammates
Incredible video capture- Barca players barely made it into the tunnel and Espanyol fans came so close attacking them, Busquets, Alonso, Araujo all just a few feet from them inside the tunnel. Video🎥 via @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/Ik3UngKQRw— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) May 14, 2023

Xavi and his side congregated in the centre circle to celebrate after the final whistle, but they were forced to flee after hundreds of fans invaded the pitch.
The Espanyol supporters attempted to attack the Barcelona stars, who sprinted back to the tunnel to escape the danger.
However, Busquets sensationally stood up to the mob as several fans attempted to force their way past security.
The Spaniard was filmed confronting the crowd while riot police intervened.
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The situation was eventually de-escalated before the Barcelona players returned to their dressing room to continue celebrating.
Despite the severity of the incident, the referee failed to mention the pitch invasion in his post-match report.
When discussing the attack after the game, Barca boss Xavi said: “It’s normal to celebrate but I understand that we are not at home and we can’t be disrespectful.”
But he quickly changed the subject to the club’s triumphant La Liga title win, adding: “It’s a great feeling.
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Barcelona players were forced to flee the pitchCredit: Getty
The Catalan giants won La Liga on SundayCredit: Getty
“It’s a job well done. This started in July and after months of work and sacrifice we have achieved our aim.
“The fans and the club deserve it, it gives us stability and security that things are being done well.
“We have sealed La Liga with a fantastic performance. We were brilliant tonight. The team relaxed at the end and Espanyol showed pride.” More

FORMER Spain captain Ferran Olivella has died aged 86.A defender by trade, Olivella captained Spain to Euros glory in 1964.
Former Spain captain Ferran Olivella, pictured here in 1965 and standing three in from the left, has passed away aged 86Credit: AP
El FC Barcelona quiere expresar su más sentido pésame a la familia y amigos de Ferran Olivella, ex jugador del Club entre 1956 y 1969. Descanse en paz. pic.twitter.com/szsDrVQOMs— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) May 14, 2023

He also spent 13 years at Barcelona, winning the La Liga title in 1959 and 1960.
Olivella then served as a director at the club after retiring.
The Spanish FA paid tribute to Olivella on social media.
A tweet on Sunday said: “Ferran Olivella Pons, captain of the national team that won the 1964 European Cup, has passed away.
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“From @RFEF we want to express our deepest condolences to your family and friends. Rest in peace.”
Barcelona wrote: “FC Barcelona wishes to express its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ferran Olivella, a former Club player between 1956 and 1969.
“Rest in peace.”
And a statement from Real Madrid added: “Real Madrid C. F., its president and its Board of Directors sincerely regret the passing of Ferran Olivella, a legendary player of F. C. Barcelona and Spanish football. “Real Madrid would like to express its condolences and affection to his family, his teammates, his clubs and all his loved ones.”
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Olivella played for Barca from 1956 to 1969, and was a director from 1989 to 1993.
He made 18 appearances in total for the Spanish national team, and was part of the squad for the 1966 World Cup. More

BARCELONA players were CHASED off the pitch by angry Espanyol fans while celebrating the LaLiga title in the home of their local rivals.The Catalans cruised to a 4-2 win at the home of their neighbours on Sunday to seal their first domestic crown in four years.
Barcelona players had congregated to celebrate in the centre circle at the home of their local rivalsCredit: LaLiga TV
Barcelona stars were forced to sprint off the pitch after their title celebrations were disruptedCredit: Getty
Barca players ran away from a mob of Espanyol fansCredit: Reuters
Angry Espanyol fans invaded the pitch at full time to disrupt Barcelona’s title celebrationsCredit: AFP
Espanyol supporter is seen throwing a chair on the pitch after fans rushed towards celebration Barcelona playersCredit: Getty
Security desperately tried to stop fans as they ran onto the pitchCredit: Getty

On the final whistle, Barca stars and boss Xavi gathered in the centre circle to hold hands in a ‘ring o’ roses’ style celebration.
But the occasion was marred by fans of relegation-threatened Espanyol, who avoided security to sprint on an disrupt the festivities.
They headed straight towards the Barcelona players, with some seen throwing chairs and bottles.
Terrified Barca players instantly legged it towards to tunnel to escape the angry mob.
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One member of backroom staff was seen falling to the ground during the rush.
After Barcelona’s star’s had escaped, the rowdy pitch invaders then turned on Espanyol’s unpopular board.
It was later confirmed that all Barcelona players and staff had escaped unhurt.
Xavi later commented: “It’s normal to celebrate but I understand that we are not at home and we can’t be disrespectful”
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Barcelona have officially regained their LaLiga crown from rivals Real MadridCredit: Getty
Barcelona won the title with four games to spare after beating Espanyol 4-2Credit: AFP
It’s party time in the Catalan capital tonightCredit: Reuters
Barcelona celebrated in style at the final whistleCredit: Reuters
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Robert Lewandowski led the way with two goals for Xavi Hernandez’s men.
Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde were also on the score sheet for the visitors.
The result sent Barcelona 14 points clear of rivals and former holders Real Madrid.
And, after losing just three times all season, they wrapped up the trophy with four games to spare.
Xavi added: “It’s a great feeling.
“It’s a job well done. This started in July and after months of work and sacrifice we have achieved our aim.
“The fans and the club deserve it, it gives us stability and security that things are being done well.
“We have sealed La Liga with a fantastic performance. We were brilliant tonight. The team relaxed at the end and Espanyol showed pride.”
Barcelona took a huge gamble in last summer’s transfer market when they activated numerous levers to fund a major splurge.
The likes of Lewandowski, Raphinha and Kounde all arrived for big fees.
And tasty contracts were also handed out to free agents including Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie.
But Barca took an early hold on LaLiga and never let go as Real blew several chances to close the gap.
Xavi’s title win will certainly take away from Barcelona’s shortcomings in Europe, which saw them exit the Champions League before being dumped out of the Europa League by Man United.
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They also suffered defeat in the semi-final of the Spanish Cup to Real.
And Barca fans are sure to cheer on Man City when they play Los Blancos in their Champions League second-leg tie on Wednesday.
The last time Barcelona won the title was in 2019Credit: Getty
Robert Lewandowski scored twice with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde also nettingCredit: AFP
Barcelona’s big financial gamble last summer paid off with a first title in four yearsCredit: EPA
Xavi Hernandez has now won LaLiga as a player and a manager for BarcelonaCredit: Getty More

ROYSTON DRENTHE has revealed how Real Madrid’s superstars had to stop practising a certain technique when Cristiano Ronaldo joined. The Dutchman, 36, spent five years at Los Blancos from 2007 to 2012, winning the LaLiga title and Spanish Super Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Real Madrid from Man Utd in 2009Credit: Getty
Royston Drenthe has revealed that the rest of the squad had stop practising a certain techniqueCredit: Getty
During the end of his stint with Real Madrid, he had a season-long loan in England with Everton, bagging four goals in 27 games.
And despite Ron’s enormous success, Drenthe has also recently revealed that he would have ex-Toffees ace Ross Barkley rather than the five-time Ballon D’Or winner in his ultimate five-a-side team of players he has shared the pitch with.
Ronaldo smashed almost every record going during his incredible nine-year spell at the Bernabeu and won the Champions League four times.
However, the rest of the squad had to put a stop to trying to copy one of his main assets after he signed from Manchester United.
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Drenthe exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: “We won the league in my first season at Madrid, and I managed to play a big part in the first-team, too.
“Then, at the end of the next season, we had the summer of huge arrivals, with Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, Kaka and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo all coming in.
“I’d be lying if I said we weren’t excited by this – but at the same time, we were Real Madrid players ourselves; we were professionals, we were already a strong side. It was great for them to join up with us, though.
“It’s funny, actually… prior to Ronaldo joining, before we knew that deal was going to happen, quite often after training there’d be myself, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and a few of the other guys, all practising free-kicks.
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“We always used to pretend to be Ronaldo, and copy that famous pose he used to do before his run-up. The next thing you know, he’s signed for us and we’ve had to stop doing it!”
Drenthe added: “When he [Cristiano Ronaldo] joined, it was crazy. The guy couldn’t go anywhere, he couldn’t do anything, without being pictured, or without crowds of people following him.
“We all experienced it to some extent because, at the end of the day, we were playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, but nowhere near the same level as Cristiano had it.
“He had to be so careful off the pitch, it was almost like he could only really be himself when he was with us, on the training ground or in the dressing room.
“He was an incredible guy, though – I loved my time with him. Again, you hear it so often but he really was the ultimate professional. He did the things none of us enjoyed doing, religiously.
“He never cut corners, he set the perfect example. He was a top, top guy, and it’s no surprise he went on to have the career he had and set the records he’s set.”
Drenthe left the Spanish capital 11 years ago and had spells with the likes of Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.
He eventually hung up his boots last year – and now wants to be the next James Bond.
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He has already started his acting career by landing a role as a gangster in hit Dutch crime drama Mocro Maffia in 2021.
That was after he had tried his hand at rap back in 2017 when he released the track “Paranoia”.
Karim Benzema (C) celebrates a goal with Royston Drenthe (L) and Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Getty – Contributor More