Three things we learned as Barcelona beat Levante to win La Liga

Majestic Messi delivers deserved title

Ernesto Valvede opted to start the game with Lionel Messi on the bench again, but it was fitting that the captain was the man to score the winner after arriving at half-time.

Barcelona had chances to score in the opening 45 minutes, but it wasn’t until Messi bagged his 34th league goal of the season that they went ahead.

It’s fair to say the captain is simply unstoppable at the Camp Nou this season:

It’s also a 10th league win for Messi, who leapfrogs Andres Iniesta to become the Barcelona player with the most La Liga titles.

Only one man, Real Madrid legend Paco Gento with 12 has more, but who would bet against Messi beating that record too before he hangs up his boots?

Liverpool won’t fear Barcelona

Barcelona took all three points against Levante to secure La Liga, but this was not a performance that will have filled Liverpool with fear.

The hosts missed chances, looked nervy and might have thrown the win away late on as they seemed to completely lose focus in the second half.

Jose Luis Morales should have equalised but blazed an effort off-target, while Enis Bardhi hit the post and Marc-Andre ter Stegen couldn’t quite believe his luck when the ball dropped into his arms.

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Valverde admitted his team were a bit “bit nervous,” and he’ll now be hoping with the league wrapped up his team can refocus their energies on the Champions League.

Barcelona do give up chances and have looked vulnerable in defence this season, something the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino will look to exploit.

However, Valverde’s side have tended to reserve their best defensive performances for the big games this season, and they’ll need to be at their best on Wednesday when the Champions League returns.

Barcelona’s domestic dominance shouldn’t be overlooked

Barcelona’s La Liga dominance continued on Saturday as Valverde’s men made it eight wins in 11 years.

Last year’s victory felt anti-climactic after the team’s disastrous exit from the Champions League and amid Real Madrid’s continued success in Europe.

This year’s win may also get overlooked should Barcelona fail to lift the European Cup again, even if they do go on to win a second double.

Yet this title deserves to be celebrated and applauded as Barcelona continue to dominate La Liga.

Winning the league is not an easy achievement and Sergio Busquets reckons their recent heroics may not be repeated.

“It’ll be difficult for anyone to win 8 out of 11 league titles again. LaLiga has the best teams, who fight for all the European trophies, so it’s very difficult to win. What we’ve achieved is historic.”

Source | Sport

Of course Barcelona’s top priority this season remains the Champions League, but it’s important too that his title win is not overlooked and gets the full credit it deserves.