Point secures title for Barca

SOCCER: LEVANTE 1, BARCELONA 1: BARCELONA WON their third consecutive La Liga title after a nervous display at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium last night.

Barca have 92 points with two matches left, six ahead of Real Madrid, who beat Getafe 4-0 on Tuesday, and Pep Guardiola’s side hold the advantage in games between the two sides.

Seydou Keita headed the visitors in front after 28 minutes, but a terrible mix-up between defender Gerard Pique and goalkeeper Victor Valdes led to Felipe Caicedo equalising just before half-time.

Barca held on for a point and can now focus on the Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley on May 28th.

“This isn’t about today, it is about nine months of hard work, emotions and suffering. We deserved it today,” striker David Villa told Spanish radio as he basked in his first league triumph.

“You can see how pleased we all are, above all because of all the work we have done.”

Winning the title at the Ciutat de Valencia was particularly significant as it was where former coach Frank Rijkaard landed his first crown with Barca in 2005.

A 1-1 draw at Levante at the end of the 2004-05 season ended six trophy-less years for the club and set in motion a cycle of success for the Catalans.

Guardiola built on the Dutchman’s work from 2008 and Barca have now won five of the last seven Spanish championships.

The 40-year-old Guardiola, in his first top-flight coaching role, has now picked up nine trophies in three years including three league titles, one European Cup and one Copa del Rey.

Barca dominated a cagey opening quarter until Xavi saw Keita’s run from deep and flighted a long pass into his path. The Malian midfielder brushed off two defenders to power a header into the net.

Guardiola was not happy with his side and could be seen gesticulating on the touchline. He held his head in his hands when the defence gifted Levante the equaliser.

Pique tried to shield a ball back to Valdes under pressure from Caicedo and then misjudged an attempted clearance as the Levante striker surged past him to score into the empty net.