Sports Desk, May 27 (EFE)- Fermín Lopez scored the winner to hand his mentor Xavi Hernandez a victory in his farewell match as Barcelona coach, as the Catalan side ended a rare trophyless season with a 2-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday.
Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Youssef En-Nesyri for their respective teams kept Barcelona and Sevilla locked at 1-1 in the first half before Lopez fired a low strike past Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland at the hour mark to ensure Barcelona won.
It would have been the visitors’ turn to take the lead had Pedri and João Cancelo not been denied by the woodwork after Lewandowski’s 15th-minute strike was canceled out by En-Nesyri in the first half.
Barça, who have now won five consecutive matches against Sevilla and remained unbeaten against the Andalusian side for 17 matches in a row, finished the LaLiga on 85 points, 10 points behind champions Real Madrid.
The game brought an end to the tenure of coach Xavi, who was sacked by the club earlier this week after two and a half years in charge.
Xavi respected the decisions made by the club and stressed that they were on the right track despite a disappointing season.
“I am proud and quite satisfied with what we have done in these two and a half years. Two titles in a situation of great adversity,” Xavi said after the match.
“Nothing more, wishing the best to Barça and the players, who have behaved spectacularly,” said Xavi, who pointed out that it was not up to him to say why he was leaving and that “it is the president who has to say it.”
Xavi, who is also a Barcelona legend and one of the most decorated players in history, said he had decided to move on despite the unceremonious exit from the club.
“It doesn’t matter, the decision has been made and there is no need to look back,” he said, noting that “the club is above anyone.”
“All that remains is to understand the situation,” he said.
He, however, did not hide his emotions and said that he felt that everything he did in these two and a half years in charge caused an “earthquake.”
“They have targeted me many times. I have not been able to work with much tranquility and calm. We asked for stability a month ago. This is football, and this is the life of a coach. It is a shame, but I just have to accept it,” he said.
“I think that the work has not been valued enough in the situation of adversity that we are in. It was ninth on the table when we arrived. We finished second. The first year we started, we achieved a double,” he said.
“And this year we have not been up to the task, but it has been for four key games. I thought this was going ahead, but it hasn’t. I’m sad, but this is my job currently.”
Xavi also wished his successor good luck at the club.
“Whoever comes should know that he has a difficult situation, with an adverse economic situation,” he said. “It will not be easy at all.” EFE
am/tw
