ALMERIA, SPAIN - MAY 16: Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his teams second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between UD Almeria and FC Barcelona at Juegos Mediterraneos on May 16, 2024 in Almeria, Spain. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
FC Barcelona remain on course to finish second in LaLiga after defeating Almeria 2-0 on Thursday night.
LaLiga
Result: Almeria 0-2 Barcelona
Date: 16 May 2024
Venue: Power Horse Stadium
Blaugrana coach Xavi Hernandez made four changes from the clash against Real Sociedad, as Hector Fort, Sergi Roberto, Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres were recalled.The visitors got the breakthrough after 14 minutes as Fort turned provider to pick out the run of Fermin, who nodded home from close range for his sixth league goal of the campaign.
The home side were presented with a chance to pull themselves level midway through the first period as Leo Baptistao managed to get himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen but somehow fired wide of the target.
Almeria did finish the half the stronger of the two sides, but they were unable to claw themselves back on level terms, with Adri Embarba going closest with an effort from distance just before interval.
However, Barcelona came out firing in the second half and doubled their lead in the 67th minute as Fermin completed his brace by collecting a pass from Roberto before firing past Luis Maximiano.
Xavi made a few changes thereafter as Robert Lewandowski, Torres and Roberto making way for Joao Felix, Andreas Christensen and Vitor Roque, who has been linked with a departure.
The visitors managed to see out the closing stages with relative ease to cement second spot for another week, after Girona suffered defeat on Wednesday.
The Catalan giants can officially wrap up second spot with against Rayo Vallecano in their final home game of the campaign.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
