Valverde: We're happy but we still have challenges ahead
"Winning the title by this distance and with games to spare with the rivals we have is difficult"
Ernesto Valverde was finally able to celebrate his second league title as Barcelona manager on Saturday thanks to Lionel Messi's second half goal against Levante.
Paco Lopez's side pushed for an equaliser late on but Barça held on to secure a 1-0 win which handed the club their 26th league title with three games to spare.
On the pitch after the game, Valverde recognised that Barça are "happy but we still have challenges ahead of us" in reference to the Copa del Rey and, above all, the Champions League.
He added: "Winning the title by this distance and with games to spare with the rivals we have is difficult. We have done it two years running and we're really happy. It's great to see everyone celebrating."
As for Messi only playing the second half, Valverde explained: "Messi was always going to play 45 minutes, that was something I was clear on. We have a game Wednesday and he has to be active and he ended up scoring the goal."
