In his breakthrough season, the 21-year-old scored 10 goals on a night when Barcelona labored but ultimately defeated their opponents who had already been relegated.

The president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, reportedly did not travel to the Almeria match in the hours preceding it because he did not agree with coach Xavi Hernandez’s pre-match remarks, according to Spanish media.

Xavi had brought attention to the team’s financial struggles in contrast to Real Madrid’s strength as the recent champions of Spain.

“They haven’t told me anything personally… we travelled with the sporting vice-president, more directors, all normally,” Xavi told the media.

“I stated what I believe to be true—that although the circumstances are difficult, we will battle for every trophy with a great deal of optimism and ambition.

“We are working very well, the club most of all, to change this situation.”

When the club was having a terrible season in January, the coach announced his resignation. Even though the squad was eliminated from the Champions League in the quarterfinals, he had a change of heart in April after the team had made a great run.

Without much effort, Los Blancos eliminated Barcelona from the title race, winning with four games remaining and only suffering one loss en route to the Champions League final.

Although Barcelona has not won a trophy this season, they are very close to finishing in second position, four points ahead of Girona, who are currently in third place.

Although Lopez’s goals were sufficient in the southeast of Spain, Barcelona’s display against their relegated, bottom-dwelling opponents was anything but a classic.

After 14 minutes, they were up thanks to a goal from Lopez, who once again demonstrated his talent at timing his arrival to receive Hector Fort’s cross and nod it in.

“Combat for second”

The hosts’ greatest opportunity of the first half was squandered by Leo Baptistao, who shot wide from a good position.

While Adri Embarba fired against the upright at the other end, Lamine Yamal threatened as Barcelona looked for a second.

With the goal at his mercy, Anthony Lozano blasted off-target, highlighting some of Almeria’s problems this season.

After 67 minutes, Lopez expertly finished a cut-back from Sergi Roberto to double Barcelona’s advantage. That was sufficient to end Almeria’s chances of winning the match.

Lopez told Movistar, “I’m happy to help the team with goals but above all for the win.”

“We will fight for second until the end, it’s our objective now.”

Prior to this, Betis and Las Palmas split the points in a thrilling match that ended 2-2, with neither team being totally satisfied with the result.

The Canary Islanders, now in 14th place, are six points above the relegation zone and would have avoided relegation if Pejino had converted a last-minute goal.

In the Europa League match between Betis and Real Sociedad, Betis dropped two points and had their star player, Isco, stagger out after sustaining a hit to the calf.

Real Sociedad defeated Valencia 1-0 to go up to sixth position, one point ahead of seventh-place Betis. This Sunday’s match between the two teams takes place in Seville.