A vital derby for Espanyol and Barça

The Spanish did not receive the Barça in a First Division derby since January 4, 2020. That match ended in a draw (2-2) and was attended by some 33,000 spectators. It was shortly before the devastating pandemic wiped out everything. The Blue and Whites were trying to get out of relegation, while the Catalans defended a leadership that they would end up losing after firing Valverde. Two years later, the two teams once again play for a boost in the standings. The locals, to break a bad run of results that gives them stability. The visitors, to secure a position in the Champions League after Atleti’s win against Getafe, finally string together three wins in the League and feel that their pursuit of Real Madrid, who left two against Villarreal yesterday, makes sense. That and Naples waiting.

After gobbling up the Athletic, his first ‘great’, to sign the best first half in a long time and to feel recognizable, Barça (38 points) contemplates life with joy. Fifth in the table, depending on himself to return to Europe and with the calculator working. Throwing numbers and optimism, a win at the RCDE Stadium plus the one postponed against Vallecano Ray (no date yet to be disputed) would bring him closer to 10 of a Real Madrid (54) that is loosening up and that has left four of the last nine points along the way, a symptom of its unreliability and a sign of its well-founded fears. For now, the goal is to get to 13 with 15 games to play.

Xavi has managed to recover ground but also rescue lost ideas and concepts. The reinforcements have brought gunpowder, offensive authority and wardrobe. Only the damn injuries, which feed on the defense, maintain a point of concern. The culé coach will have to mend the defensive system again against the parakeets. Still, the stats say he knows how to play away. Three wins (Villarreal, Majorca and Alaves) and three ties (Osasuna, Seville and Granada).

From his debut against Espanyol eleven days ago, the change is considerable, although many players will repeat. The problem is the sanction of two parties to Dani Alveswhich could condition the tactical drawing if Xavi don’t bet on Dest. at least get back Eric Garcia, who has not played since January 8, when he was injured against Granada in the femoral biceps of his right leg. In midfield and in attack, the coach has a sufficient assortment, although the team’s physiognomy will have an air that he exhibited against Atleti. He could even repeat trident. Still, questions are unavoidable. will debut Aubameyang as headline? What role will Dembele?

There’s another issue veterans are silently mulling over in the locker room. the collegiate Hernandez Hernandez always remember that non-goal at the Benito Villamarín against Betis that went a meter into the goal and did not concede. The VAR would have then corrected that tremendous refereeing error.

The parakeets, well at home

Espanyol also needs to pay tribute. He does not know how to win in this 2022 in LaLiga. The last time was on December 31 against Valencia (1-2). Since then, the team has registered three defeats and a draw and it is, for now, the second worst streak of the season. A home win in the derby would be a morale and qualifying boost.

He has a strong argument to intimidate Barça. It is the seventh team with the most points (20 in 11 games) in its stadium, only three less than Barça. His main threat is Thomas Raul, available again after serving a one-match ban. He has 12 goals, four more than Barça’s top scorer, who is Memphis (8) and that he will not play.

Vincent Moreno He would be tempted to pull from the same board that he put in the Camp Nou. He traced a high pressure that sometimes drowned the Catalan defenders. He will not be able to count on the lateral Oscar Gilsanctioned by yellow cards, nor with the injured David Lopez.

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