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Barcelona end La Liga campaign with disappointing draw

By Tanner Owens

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 01: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semifinal match between FC Barcelona and FC Liverpool at Camp Nou on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 01: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semifinal match between FC Barcelona and FC Liverpool at Camp Nou on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona fielded a strong side in the La Liga finale but thanks again to Messi and Barca could only manage a 2-2 draw against Éibar.

Barcelona chose to start the majority of his starters in the La Liga finale with Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho, and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen all out injured Valverde still put out a strong side in preparation for the Copa del Rey final. Barcelona loanee Marc Cucurella opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a hot shot that Cillessen couldn’t stop.

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Messi then responded in the 30th minute after a great through ball from Arturo Vidal set him up. Messi then added another in the 32nd minute as he was played through by Ivan Rakitic and Messi was ruled on after a lengthy VAR review. It was Messi’s 36th league goal of the season.

Éibar finally responded in the final minute of regular time of the first half as De Blasis sent a strike past Cillessen as he came out of goal to clear the ball and instead only headed it to De Blasis who struck the ball over him and into the back of the net to equalize the game 2-2 at the half. Barca controlled the possession 59%-41% but Eibar had more shots on goal in the first half 6-2 with both of the shots on goal finding their way into the net.

Barca made a change after the half with Moussa Wague coming in for Nelson Semado at right back. Semado it was later discovered had to be transported for tests at a nearby hospital for a head injury. Semado was released on Monday morning following tests.

In the 65th minute, Valverde made his second change by inserting Carles Aleña for Sergio Busquets in the midfield. Barca’s final substitution came in the 72nd minute with Malcolm exiting for Carles Perez who was making his debut for Barca was the final change of the game for Valverde. In the 81st minute, Éibar had a great chance to get the victory with Cucurella missing from seven yards out as his shot was sent over the bar. Neither team was able to create a better opportunity and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

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Barca will next face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final as they look for the fifth consecutive title in the competition and the third straight domestic double in what will be the last match of this season.