Xavi on Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations amid pitch invasions – ‘We had to go inside’

Xavi claims that Barcelona celebrated their first La Liga title since 2019 inside the dressing room because they “didn’t want to bother anyone” after Espanyol fans invaded the pitch in their 4-2 victory.

The players briefly celebrated in the middle of the pitch, which upset a few Espanyol fans. The supporters invaded the pitch, forcing the away team to quickly retreat towards their dressing room.

“I didn’t see it, sorry. I was inside the dressing room. I thought it was the time to go inside, so I went inside before,” Xavi told reporters after the game.

“We had to go inside because it was not our stadium, and we need to celebrate as a family. Players are emotional. We didn’t want to bother anyone. We were celebrating a very important league for us.

“I don’t think we need to give importance to that [the Espanyol fans on the pitch].”

The title is Xavi’s second at the club as manager, after winning the Supercopa de Espana earlier in the year.

The club, who clinched the title with four games to spare, have won 27 of their 34 league matches.

They’ve scored 64 goals, only bettered by Real Madrid’s 70, but have especially impressed defensively throughout the season, only conceding 13 goals in the league this season.

For comparison, Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who have battled for the title against Xavi’s side all season, have conceded 32 goals.

When praised for making his mark on the league, Xavi said: “It’s not Xavi’s league. That doesn’t make me feel good. It’s Barca’s league.

“A Barca that is growing and coming back. That is starting a new era. We need to keep growing. It was great work from the team, and the players are key in all of this. I am here to help them and guide them and to make sure they work as a group.”