Barcelona ended the season with a 2-1 victory at Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday, making departing coach Xavi Hernandez's farewell bittersweet after a trophy-less season in which they finished 10 points behind champions Real Madrid.

The final game for Xavi, who was sacked on Friday, leaves Barca second after a disappointing campaign in which they lost the Spanish Super Cup final to Real Madrid and were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris St Germain in the last eight.

"I don't think the work has been appreciated enough," said Xavi. "A double last year (LaLiga and Super Cup) and this year we haven't been up to the task because of details.

"I leave with some mixed feelings because the work is positive even though we didn't win the titles this season. I think we were on the right track and I still think so."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/southampton-return-to-premier-league-as-adam-armstrong-sinks-leeds-in-play-off-final-725669">Southampton return to Premier League as Adam Armstrong sinks Leeds in play-off final</a>

Barca came out all guns blazing from the start and took the lead in the 15th minute through Robert Lewandowski who scored his 19th league goal of the season from close range after latching onto Joao Cancelo's cross.

Sevilla levelled with Youssef En-Nesyri's strike in the 31st and went close again but failed to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen before Barca got the winner on the hour through Fermin Lopez.

"Today is not the best time to talk about the future but we have a lot of good players," said Ter Stegen. "We have to work a lot more on an individual level to be able to compete with anyone next year.

"Xavi has always given us a lot. He worked every day so that we could succeed. On a personal level he's been a friend for many years and it's never easy to let him go," he added.

Barcelona ended the season with a 2-1 victory at Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday, making departing coach Xavi Hernandez's farewell bittersweet after a trophy-less season in which they finished 10 points behind champions Real Madrid.

Barcelona ended the season with a 2-1 victory at Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday, making departing coach Xavi Hernandez's farewell bittersweet after a trophy-less season in which they finished 10 points behind champions Real Madrid. The final game for Xavi, who was sacked on Friday, leaves Barca second after a disappointing campaign in which they lost the Spanish Super Cup final to Real Madrid and were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris St Germain in the last eight. "I don't think the work has been appreciated enough," said Xavi. "A double last year (LaLiga and Super Cup) and this year we haven't been up to the task because of details. "I leave with some mixed feelings because the work is positive even though we didn't win the titles this season. I think we were on the right track and I still think so." ALSO READ: Southampton return to Premier League as Adam Armstrong sinks Leeds in play-off final Barca came out all guns blazing from the start and took the lead in the 15th minute through Robert Lewandowski who scored his 19th league goal of the season from close range after latching onto Joao Cancelo's cross. Sevilla levelled with Youssef En-Nesyri's strike in the 31st and went close again but failed to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen before Barca got the winner on the hour through Fermin Lopez. "Today is not the best time to talk about the future but we have a lot of good players," said Ter Stegen. "We have to work a lot more on an individual level to be able to compete with anyone next year. "Xavi has always given us a lot. He worked every day so that we could succeed. On a personal level he's been a friend for many years and it's never easy to let him go," he added.

Outgoing coach Xavi rues ‘lack of appreciation’ at club as Barcelona finish season with over Sevilla

Second-placed Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw by Barcelona on Tuesday (December 21), allowing Real Madrid to take a five-point lead in La Liga.

Ronald Araujo scored shortly before halftime to earn Barcelona a draw against 10-man Sevilla, a result that will help&nbsp;La Liga leaders Real Madrid.&nbsp;Second-placed Sevilla are five points behind the leaders, with Carlo Ancelotti's men due to face Atletico Bilbao on Wednesday. Xavi's Barcelona missed out on fourth place and dropped to seventh, 15 points behind Real Madrid.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/league-cup-eddie-nketiah-hat-trick-helps-arsenal-enter-semi-finals-438968">League Cup: Eddie Nketiah hat-trick helps Arsenal enter semi-finals</a>

Papu Gomez put Sevilla ahead after half an hour after connecting with an Ivan Rakitic cross from a corner, but Uruguayan defender Araujo equalised just before half time in Seville.

After Jules Kounde was sent off in the 64th minute for throwing the ball at Jordi Alba, the hosts played the last 30 minutes with one man down. Despite having chances, Barcelona failed to capitalise, with Gavi putting a header wide outside and Ousmane Dembele hitting the post.

Barcelona controlled the first half, had better ball possession, and had at least two scoring chances in the opening 30 minutes. But Sevilla made the most of their one chance in the first half, with Gomez smashing home a thunderous shot.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/player-welfare-not-taken-seriously-liverpools-jordan-henderson-reacts-as-pl-continues-amid-covid-scare-438964">Player welfare not taken seriously: Liverpool's Jordan Henderson reacts as PL continues amid Covid scare</a>

After Kounde was sent off for a petulant display following a fight with Jordi Alba on the touchline, Sevilla had to go to damage-control mode. For the unversed, Kounde threw the ball at Alba's face after being shoved by the Barcelona defender.

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez told reporters, "I honestly think that today we lost two points. We played better and deserved to win. I feel that is evident in our improvement."

"We were unlucky. They score in a set piece play but we had many more opportunities. The result, a draw away against a great team like Sevilla, is not bad. But it is a point that is not enough for us as we are trying to move up in contention. We let this win slip away from our hands," he added.

Second-placed Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw by Barcelona on Tuesday (December 21), allowing Real Madrid to take a five-point lead in La Liga. Ronald Araujo scored shortly before halftime to earn Barcelona a draw against 10-man Sevilla, a result that will help La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

Second-placed Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw by Barcelona on Tuesday (December 21), allowing Real Madrid to take a five-point lead in La Liga. Ronald Araujo scored shortly before halftime to earn Barcelona a draw against 10-man Sevilla, a result that will help La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Second-placed Sevilla are five points behind the leaders, with Carlo Ancelotti's men due to face Atletico Bilbao on Wednesday. Xavi's Barcelona missed out on fourth place and dropped to seventh, 15 points behind Real Madrid. ALSO READ: League Cup: Eddie Nketiah hat-trick helps Arsenal enter semi-finals Papu Gomez put Sevilla ahead after half an hour after connecting with an Ivan Rakitic cross from a corner, but Uruguayan defender Araujo equalised just before half time in Seville. After Jules Kounde was sent off in the 64th minute for throwing the ball at Jordi Alba, the hosts played the last 30 minutes with one man down. Despite having chances, Barcelona failed to capitalise, with Gavi putting a header wide outside and Ousmane Dembele hitting the post. Barcelona controlled the first half, had better ball possession, and had at least two scoring chances in the opening 30 minutes. But Sevilla made the most of their one chance in the first half, with Gomez smashing home a thunderous shot. ALSO READ: Player welfare not taken seriously: Liverpool's Jordan Henderson reacts as PL continues amid Covid scare After Kounde was sent off for a petulant display following a fight with Jordi Alba on the touchline, Sevilla had to go to damage-control mode. For the unversed, Kounde threw the ball at Alba's face after being shoved by the Barcelona defender. Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez told reporters, "I honestly think that today we lost two points. We played better and deserved to win. I feel that is evident in our improvement." "We were unlucky. They score in a set piece play but we had many more opportunities. The result, a draw away against a great team like Sevilla, is not bad. But it is a point that is not enough for us as we are trying to move up in contention. We let this win slip away from our hands," he added.

La Liga: Second placed Sevilla held 1-1 by much improved Barcelona

Gerard Pique said La Liga's title race is Real Madrid's to lose after&nbsp;Barcelona&nbsp;were held to a goalless draw against Sevilla on Friday.

Barca's first slip-up since returning from the three-month hiatus hands Madrid the chance to regain top spot this weekend.

After their emphatic 3-0 win over Valencia on Thursday, Zinedine Zidane's side will move level on points with the Catalans if they beat Real Sociedad on Sunday and above them due to their superior record head-to-head.&nbsp;

"Seeing what we've done in the last two rounds, it's going to be very difficult to win this league," said a despondent Pique afterwards.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/benzema-and-asensio-volleys-fire-madrid-to-valencia-victory-306948" hreflang="en">Benzema and Asensio volleys fire Madrid to Valencia victory</a>

Sevilla, in third, and Valencia, in eighth, always looked capable of shifting the dynamic at the top of the table, with Madrid capitalising to climb back to the summit for the first time since they beat&nbsp;Barcelona&nbsp;on March 1.

Asked about Pique's analysis,&nbsp;Barcelona&nbsp;coach Quique Setien said: "I think it comes from frustration. I am optimistic. I think it will be tough for anyone to take maximum points."

A valuable point for Sevilla, meanwhile, gives them a five-point cushion over Getafe in fifth, albeit having played a game more.

Barca could have few complaints at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.&nbsp;

They never really troubled Sevilla for any prolonged period and the closest Lionel Messi came to scoring the 700th goal of his career were a pair of free-kicks tipped over.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/neymar-ordered-to-pay-67-million-euros-to-barcelona-307146" hreflang="en">Neymar ordered to pay 6.7 million euros to Barcelona</a>

The sight of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen jogging up for a late corner demonstrated how big a blow they considered dropping points to be.&nbsp;

Yet Real Sociedad are still in the hunt for Champions League qualification and will offer Madrid no guarantees on Sunday while games against Getafe, Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal mean there are still plenty of hurdles for Zidane's team to overcome.&nbsp;

Barcelona&nbsp;though would appear to have the tougher run-in, with Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and local rivals Espanyol coming up.

Gerard Pique said La Liga's title race is Real Madrid's to lose after Barcelona were held to a goalless draw against Sevilla on Friday. Barca's first slip-up since returning from the three-month hiatus hands Madrid the chance to regain top spot this weekend.

Gerard Pique said La Liga's title race is Real Madrid's to lose after Barcelona were held to a goalless draw against Sevilla on Friday. Barca's first slip-up since returning from the three-month hiatus hands Madrid the chance to regain top spot this weekend. After their emphatic 3-0 win over Valencia on Thursday, Zinedine Zidane's side will move level on points with the Catalans if they beat Real Sociedad on Sunday and above them due to their superior record head-to-head. "Seeing what we've done in the last two rounds, it's going to be very difficult to win this league," said a despondent Pique afterwards. Also read: Benzema and Asensio volleys fire Madrid to Valencia victory Sevilla, in third, and Valencia, in eighth, always looked capable of shifting the dynamic at the top of the table, with Madrid capitalising to climb back to the summit for the first time since they beat Barcelona on March 1. Asked about Pique's analysis, Barcelona coach Quique Setien said: "I think it comes from frustration. I am optimistic. I think it will be tough for anyone to take maximum points." A valuable point for Sevilla, meanwhile, gives them a five-point cushion over Getafe in fifth, albeit having played a game more. Barca could have few complaints at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. They never really troubled Sevilla for any prolonged period and the closest Lionel Messi came to scoring the 700th goal of his career were a pair of free-kicks tipped over. Also read: Neymar ordered to pay 6.7 million euros to Barcelona The sight of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen jogging up for a late corner demonstrated how big a blow they considered dropping points to be. Yet Real Sociedad are still in the hunt for Champions League qualification and will offer Madrid no guarantees on Sunday while games against Getafe, Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal mean there are still plenty of hurdles for Zidane's team to overcome. Barcelona though would appear to have the tougher run-in, with Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and local rivals Espanyol coming up.

Gerard Pique pessimistic over Barcelona title bid after Sevilla draw