Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Espanyol | La Liga MD 31
Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Espanyol | La Liga MD 31 The last time Barcelona took on RCD Espanyol in La Liga, only a Joan Garcia masterclass at the RCDE Stadium helped them get over the line. Now, the Blaugrana prepare to take on their local rivals for the second time in La Liga , this time in their own backyard at the Spotify Camp Nou, but the timing of the game could not have been worse. Heading into the derby, Barcelona are now fresh off a defeat that put them 0-2 down in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal on aggregate.
Hansi Flick must now not only look to orchestrate a comeback against Atletico Madrid next week, but also maintain the team’s lead in La Liga and keep his players fresh – something that is easier said than done in the current situation. However, the coach has no option but to find a way to keep his side alive on both fronts, and the extent and idea behind his rotations for tomorrow’s game will go a long way in deciding the same. Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Espanyol.
A derby at the wrong time In any normal situation, a game between Barcelona and Espanyol would steal the limelight as the biggest game of the match-day in La Liga. This time, however, there is a sense of quiet around the game, and understandably so given the circumstances around its scheduling. Barcelona, after all, take on Espanyol in between the two legs of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid and it is clear that the Blaugrana will not focus on that result as much as they would have otherwise.
After all, they also have a seven-point lead in La Liga, and if they do not prioritise the midweek game over tomorrow’s, they will be left alive in just one competition. For their pure survival on multiple fronts, Barcelona are forced to approach tomorrow’s game with caution and a conservative approach – something that dampens the vibrant spirit of a derby. Yet, there is simply no way around the situation.
Pedri is better rested Rest for Pedri? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Barcelona’s 0-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid midweek had several takeaways for Hansi Flick, one of the biggest of which was the substitution of Pedri at half-time. Having started the game, the Canary Islander left the field in the 45th minute and did not return after the break.