Match Preview: Sunday 13/01/2007 22:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 18
RCD ESPANYOL - FC BARCELONA

Lluis Companys (Estadi Olimpic), Barcelona – Capacity: 55.000
Referee: Arturo Daudén Ibánez


Probable Line-Up:

Espanyol (4-4-2): Kameni - Chica, Torrejon, Jarque, Velasco - Rufete, Moises Hurtado, De la Pena, Riera - Luis Garcia, Tamudo (Pandiani) - Manager: Ernesto Valverde


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Belletti, Marquez, Puyol, Sylvinho (Gio) - Edmilson, Iniesta, Xavi - Giuly, Gudjohnsen, Saviola (Ezquerro) - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Match Preview:
It´s derby time in Barcelona tonight! The rivalry between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona goes back nearly a century before even Barca and Real Madrid became arch enemies. Espanyol was founded as a counter part of Spanish residents in Barcelona, while Barca consisted of English and Catalan players.

King Alfonso XIII became the patron of the White & Blues and Espanyol adapted the name Real Club Deportivo Español (Royal Sports Club) and therefore was seen more as a Spanish Club linked to Madrid, while Barca has been supported more by the patriotic Catalans.
Generallisimo Franco also played his part in a further division of the supporters of both clubs. The Gaudillo Franco forbid the Catalans to speak their own language and carry their red and yellow banners and flags. FC Barcelona was considered as subverseive and seperatist, while Espanyol was seen as the only football club in Catalunya that was Spanish patriotic. Therefore Barça supporters labelled the Pericos as foreigners because they did not speak Catalan, but Castillano.


FC Barcelona became a synonym for the "Catalanism", while Espanyol supporters are more seen as the ones who are believing that Catalunya is a part of Spain.

Football, combined with history and politics is a very strong mix to support a deep rifted rivalry, but this rivalry has calmed down a lot recently. Real Madrid that have been considered Franco´s club during the dictatorship, has replaced Espanyol as the enemy.


Still, you will find, that Barca players are denied a taxi when the cab driver is a Perico (like Zambrotta experiend this summer) or that Barca players are denied to play for their rivals (e.g. Saviola) but too big is the difference between the two city rivals nowadays.
FC Barcelona has dominated La Liga in the last 20 years, won European silverware and is considered a European giant while Espanyol is usually fighting for survival and is just too small to be considered a danger or thread.


Worth mentioning, it is a funny fact that only very few away supporters (in this case tonight, the Barca fans) will visit the rival´s stadium because they do not want to give their heighbourly opponent even one Cent.


As their is no violence between the supporters usually, tonight´s match can be considered as a healthy neighbourly rivalry between two clubs in the same city. Espanyol fans might read a bit more into it because it is a David against Goliath situation and also they will look for some sort of Super Cup revenge.

But Barca has to take all 3 points from Montjuic to keep the pressure on league leaders FC Sevilla, who seem to have an easier home game at hand tomorrow (against RCD Mallorca).


Former Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde arrived at Espanyol this summer to replace Miguel Angel Lotina and has turned the team around, especially with some good performances in December.
Espanol´s displays are more like a rollercoaster. In the last three matches, they lost first to Real Madrid at home, then won impressively away at Getafe and then lost again against Recreativo de Huelva at home.


Latest news suggests serious concerns over Espanyol Raul Tamudo's fitness (flu). Also Jesús Mari Lacruz is a doubt with a back injury but David García, Eduardo Costa, César Peixoto (all injured) and Pablo Zabaleta (suspended) will definetely miss the encounter. Espanyol´s Uruguyan forward Walter Pandiani is probably fit enough to play.


Barca´s star player Ronaldinho is back in the squad for the first time in 2007. He is looking forward to be unleashed for the derby and is brimming of confidence. Oleguer has also been called up into the squad for the first time in 2007. Portugues midfielder Deco and Gianluca Zambrotta have recovered from injury but FC Barcelona coach Rijkaard does not want to risk both players and opted to leave them out. Both ysoungsters, Olmo and Crosas, have been left out and will play for Barca B.


My Prediction:

Barça will be looking for victory in the local derby against Espanyol. After two consecutive draws in the La Liga, Barca are in need for all the 3 points. A victory in the Barcelona derby will also be good for the team´s spirit.
But tonight´s match will be difficult and it depends on Espanyol´s form in this match, if it will become a close encounter. Espanyol, who was seen by me as one of the favourites to go down to Segunda A this season have had some good but also some bad results so far.

I have the sneaking feeling tonight´s match will not be as easy as the Super Cup Finals (4:0 on aggregate).


Still, a win is on the agenda, but Barca has to fight hard for it!


Espanyol - FC Barcelona 1-2


Visca el Barca!