European round-up:Barcelona eased to their third successive La Liga title with a low-key draw away to Levante tonight to retain their crown with two games to spare. The party kicked off in the 28th minute when Seydou Keita headed Pep Guardiola's side in front to cap a stylish attacking move.
However, in-form Levante put a dampener on proceedings when on-loan Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo capitalised on a Gerard Pique error to secure a draw. The point was enough to wrap up the league title ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, and they now turn their attention to the Champions League final showdown with Manchester United on May 28th.
Barca unsurprisingly dominated possession throughout without pressing too hard. A few optimistic crosses were cleared at either end before Xisco Nadal produced the first chance of the game for Levante, volleying from 20 yards but seeing his effort go wide in the 17th minute. Moments later Levante had another opening when former Barca youngster Xavi Torres smacked one wide from 25 yards out.
In the 28th minute the opener came and went Barcelona’s way. It did so in some style, too, as Xavi Hernandez’s superb chip forward was met by the advancing Keita and the Malian headed perfectly over Gustavo Munua with the goalkeeper caught in no-man’s land.
To their credit Levante responded well. Juanfran and Valdo both got forward to put crosses in while Caicedo forced Victor Valdes into a smart save with a shot from inside the box. Eric Abidal, in his first start since returning from surgery to remove a liver tumour, fired a tame effort from distance at Munua in the 37th minute.
Off-colour striker David Villa’s barren spell continued as he shot wide from the left and five minutes before the break, Levante were level. The hosts probed and a lofted ball forward should have been dealt with in straightforward fashion. However, Pique got himself in a muddle and when his failure to clear left the on-rushing Victor Valdes stranded, Caicedo was on hand to capitalise.
Lionel Messi was understated but always threatening but it was fringe man Ibrahim Afellay who looked the champions’ most threatening weapon. Messi opened the second half with a shot blocked by Nano before Afellay sent a darting 30-yard effort wide.
The Catalans looked to have regained their lead brilliantly when Messi’s trademark nimble footwork saw him dart between a crowd of defends and beat Munua, only for his delicate effort to hit the post and bounce away. Messi had the bit between his teeth and sent a shot wide of the right-hand post in the 72nd minute.
But from there on in the game fizzled out as Barca played out the game and enjoyed the celebrations that greeted the final whistle.
France:Lyon's title challenge ended in embarrassment when they were humbled 4-0 at mid-table Auxerre this evening. Leaders Lille won 2-1 at St Etienne last night and, with three games left, third-placed Lyon trail by 10 points and must now battle to stay in the Champions League qualifying spots.
Claude Puel's side beat second-placed Olympique Marseille 3-2 at the weekend but their trip to Auxerre started to go wrong when Dennis Oliech netted a 20th minute opener and then defender Dejan Lovren was dismissed for a second booking before the break. Alain Traore bagged two goals to further ease Auxerre's outside fears of the drop before Cedric Hengbart completed the rout.
Fourth from bottom Monaco remained in trouble after a 3-0 defeat at Sochaux while mid-table Bordeaux lost their first game since the resignation of coach Jean Tigana, going down 1-0 at Racing Lens to give the second from bottom team a lifeline.
