The gulf between Barcelona and Espanyol is almost always a wide one, but even by the usual standards of this derby, Sunday’s match between these two rivals could be a complete mismatch.
By Graham Ruthven
Derby Day form
While Hansi Flick’s team are currently flying having thumped Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the last week, the Periquitos are above the relegation in LaLiga by just one point. One side of Barcelona’s divide has dreams of the title. The other, however, just wants to stay in the division.
Under Flick, Barca have become the most exhilarating attacking outfit in Spain, possibly Europe. They have scored an incredible 37 goals in just 11 league games with Flick’s high-risk, high-intensity approach getting the best out of his players.
On the flip side, Espanyol have lost five of their last six league games, conceding 14 times in the process. Keeping Barcelona at arm’s length could prove to be an impossible task.
Familiar surroundings for the visitors
Espanyol will make the 12km east on Saturday to a stadium they called home for over a decade. Montjuic was where the Periquitos played between 1997 and 2009 and it is where Barcelona are currently playing while Camp Nou is being redeveloped. It has become a home from home for Barca who have won four from four at Montjuic this season.
Barcelona haven’t lost to their city rivals in LaLiga since 2009 and there appears to be little chance that their unbeaten run will come to an end this weekend, particularly considering Espanyol have the worst away record in the division.
Key players
Robert Lewandowski is leading the Pichichi race in La Liga and will spearhead Barcelona’s attack on derby day having netted five goals in his last three games. The Polish striker has looked back to his best this season.
Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Raphinha will also be a big part of Barca’s attacking game plan. The latter’s resurgence has been one of the stories of the season so far with Flick dramatically turning around the Brazilian’s fortunes.
To stand any chance of securing a result at their old stadium, Espanyol will require goalkeeper Joan García to be in top form. Centre backs Leandro Cabrera and Marash Kumbulla might be wise to drop deep to prevent Barca from exploiting any space in behind.
Team news
Barcelona have more than their fair share of injury concerns at the moment, but Flick will be thankful that no new players have been added to the unavailable list recently.
Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Marc-André ter Stegen, Ferran Torres and Eric García will also be sidelined for Saturday’s visit of Espanyol, but Barca have already shown they can cope without this contingent.
Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo could be in line to start having missed a number of recent matches through injury. Gavi could also see more minutes.
Fernando Calero, Edu Exposito, Jose Gragera and Naci Unuvar are all injury doubts for Espanyol, but the Periquitos will otherwise be at full strength for the Catalan derby.
Prediction
Barcelona 4-1 Espanyol. As mentioned, history suggests another Derby Day win for the league leaders.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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