Heading into a derby, momentum is of paramount importance and Barcelona could not have hoped to be in a better run of form ahead of Sunday’s clash against RCD Espanyol.
Playing in Montjuic against their local rivals tomorrow, the Blaugrana enter the game having downed Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in their last two games. They are flying high and are the overwhelming favourites to deliver a statement result in the derby.
For the first time in years, there appears to be little doubt over the result that will unfold this weekend as Barça will be more motivated than ever to kill the derby soon. Moreover, their record in the game in recent years has been positive.
Espanyol last won against Barcelona in 2018 while one will have to go two years further back to find their last win away from home.
On Sunday, one can thus expect high-quality football, a motivated and confident Barcelona and a physically gruelling game. Interestingly, seven red cards have been shown in the last six games between the two Catalan rivals.
Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Espanyol.
A rare week off
The footballing calendar has only got more hectic with every passing year, and the ongoing season may well see its peak on that front.
Just three months into the campaign and elite clubs like Barcelona already have their platter full with two games scheduled every week.
At this point, it has become a norm for the Catalans to play once every weekend and once midweek, and with competitions like the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup yet to come, it will only get more challenging.
The importance of the past week for the team, thus, cannot be understated as they enjoyed a complete week to rest and rejuvenate after the win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Having taken down Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in two high-intensity clashes last week, the team could not have hoped for a better week to enjoy without a fixture.
For internationals, the break was all the more important for they do not even get to rest on the occasional two-week hiatus. For a team with most players either in their teens or at the fag end of their career, moreover, it is a blessing of the highest order.
The rotation equation
Playing after a week, there is not much need for Hansi Flick to rotate the squad tomorrow night. However, he will still look to get some changes in to ensure all players are match-fit and contributing.
The biggest changes are likely to arrive in midfield where the coach has gone from rags to riches in a matter of weeks.
From a situation of dire shortage of resources, Flick now has several names to call on. Dani Olmo and Frenkie de Jong, who are both yet to start after returning from injury may thus be on the team list against Espanyol.
De Jong is likely to play as part of the double pivot and will be paired with either Marc Casado or Pedri, the former being more likely as Pedri is barely rested regularly.
Olmo, meanwhile, will take his spot as the attacking midfielder on the night and will play in the spaces behind the front three.
The game also provides the manager a chance to rotate one full-back and it will likely be Alejandro Balde as the coach has preferred to give the youngster regular rest to prevent a relapse. Jules Kounde, meanwhile, will be rejuvenated after a week off.
In the final third, Ansu Fati presents a case to start and could play in place of Lamine Yamal. It is likely, however, that he plays on the left with with Raphinha moving to the right wing.
A transient, yet vital lead in sight
The horrific flash floods in Valencia have led to the postponement of all league games scheduled in the territory, and Real Madrid’s game at Mestalla has also thus been called off.
Los Blancos’ hectic calendar, however, presents very few windows to host the game in hand and it could thus be postponed by a good few months.
Barcelona extended their lead over Carlo Ancelotti’s side to six points with their win in El Clasico and can thus make it nine points tomorrow night. Although transient, the lead would be a statement from the team and put more pressure on the Merengues.
While a game in hand indeed means that Barcelona’s lead is not absolute, there is a massive psychological difference between three points in the bag and three points up for grabs with a spare game.
Ancelotti’s side are already under pressure after losing to Flick’s men and the nine-point gap on the scoreboard will only serve to deter them and reduce their spirits. The fact that their spare game will not come anytime soon only helps Barcelona’s cause.
It is thus vital that the Blaugrana utilise their opportunity in tomorrow’s derby and deliver a big blow to the defending champions’ hopes. These are early days but pressure is a real factor.
