2019 La Liga champions team?
VerifiedAnswer: Barcelona
Explanation:
Barcelona successfully claimed the 2018-19 La Liga title, marking their 26th championship in Spain's top football division. This victory was particularly significant as it demonstrated the club's continued dominance in Spanish football during a period of transition.
The Catalan giants secured the championship with several matches to spare, finishing the season with 87 points from 38 games. Under the management of Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona maintained consistency throughout the campaign, winning 26 matches, drawing 9, and losing only 3 times during the entire season.
The team's success was built around their attacking prowess, with Lionel Messi leading the charge as the league's top scorer with 36 goals. Messi's exceptional performance throughout the season was crucial in Barcelona's title triumph, as he consistently delivered match-winning performances when the team needed them most.
Barcelona's main competitors during this season included Atletico Madrid, who finished second with 76 points, and Real Madrid, who had a disappointing campaign finishing third with 68 points. The 11-point gap between Barcelona and second-place Atletico Madrid highlighted the champions' superiority throughout the season.
Key players who contributed to this championship success included Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti in defense, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic in midfield, and Luis Suarez alongside Messi in attack. The team's tactical discipline and ability to grind out results in difficult matches proved essential in their title-winning campaign.
This La Liga triumph was part of a domestic double for Barcelona, as they also won the Copa del Rey that same season, defeating Valencia 2-1 in the final. However, their European campaign ended in disappointment when they suffered a shocking 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final second leg, despite holding a 3-0 advantage from the first match.
