Flick ready to celebrate after Barca title win
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said it's time to celebrate after his team sealed the LaLiga title with a 2-0 win over Catalan rival Espanyol.
Star 17 year-old attacker Lamine Yamal scored a stunning individual goal to break the deadlock, before turning provider to tee up Fermin Lopez for the match - and title - winning goal.
Yamal was also in the thick of a major incident in the 80th minute of the match, Espanyol's Leandro Cabrera seeing red after appearing to elbow the irrepressible teenager.
Barcelona needed to beat Espanyol to seal the title, after Real Madrid's win over Mallorca a day earlier threatened to delay the championship party.
Now, Flick says, that party can begin.
Victory at Espanyol extended Barca's domestic unbeaten run to 25 matches, with its most recent defeat coming in late December. In that period, Barcelona also won the Spanish Super Cup in January and beat Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final earlier in May.
"I think especially in the second part of the season we have been amazing. We haven't lost a game and that's just great. Congratulations to the team, the club and the fans. We are very happy with what we have achieved," Flick said.
"I don't think I had enough time to explain it throughout the season but I put a lot of value to the culture we have created, this family we have created.
"A lot of work is being done, with a lot of passion and a great mentality.
"It's really nice to see this family we have created. How we take care of each other. It's unique, I'm delighted."
Central to Barcelona's success this season has been the form of teenage sensation Yamal, who has registered 21 goal contributions in LaLiga this season – eight goals and 13 assists – including his goal and assist against Espanyol.
Flick, though, was quick to point out that Barcelona about more than just Yamal and that this was a whole-team achievement.
"It's Barcelona's LaLiga. It's not about one player, of course Lamine has been important, but we are a team and that's the most important thing. The team as a whole," he said.
"Everyone has done their job very well. We are a team. This is what we wanted. We have given the best version for this club. All the fans can be proud.
"Lamine has already scored more goals like this. He trains every day that same move, but today was just a perfect goal."
