Barcelona Derby: Espanyol v Barca
It’s the derby weekend in Barcelona and all of you are probably looking for a repeat from the earlier match this season at the Camp Nou. There are expectations there whether you are a barcelonista or a madridista. I realize that the game means a lot in the grand scheme of things, the ebb and flow of the La Liga BBVA 2009-2010 season, but hold your horses. It isn’t as simple as getting on the train across town and walking up to the brand new stadium at Cornella-el-Pratt. If you’re a cule, don’t even think about going without a ticket, ’cause you’re not wanted. You won’t be throwing flares into the lower deck of this stadium, your boixois nois won’t be breaking in this one like they sent off the Montjuic. This won’t be a cakewalk. It never is.
Look at their last meeting. Lionel Messi was hurt, but Barcelona still beat Espanyol 1-0 in December with a dubious penalty won by Xavi and slotted in by Zlatan and the world was set right again. You see, the last time the two clubs had met on that pitch, in February of last year, Barca were top of the league 10 points ahead of Madrid, Espanyol were bottom of the table, and David beat Goliath 1-2 with an outstanding display of grit, determination and a little magic from ex-Barcelona midfielder Ivan de la Pena.
Even the last game at the Montjuic was more than just flares tossed at Espanyol supporters. There was a real match going, on with stiff challenges, 30 shots for the visitors and just 5 for the hosts, and after ages of extended injury time, another dubious penalty was awarded by none other than Luis Medina Cantalejo. When Espanyol players swarmed the linesman and asked if it was a penalty, the linesman was supposed to have said, “I know it wasn’t but you try convincing the boss.”
So, this one will be no different. It will be tough, there will be few opportunities at goal, Espanyol will park the semi in front of goal, and hope to hit Barca on the wings with pace. The kicking will commence at the whistle and probably continue into the dressing rooms probably after the game. Carlos Kameni will not play because of a red-card ban from their loss at Racing this week so backup Cristian Alvarez will play, but apart from him only winger Fernando Marques is doubtful.
Barca on the other hand, must be thinking about Inter, despite all the public pronouncements by Pep Guardiola to the contrary. He’s even debating holding Messi back for midweek. If he plays it’ll probably be late. Busquets, Toure and Keita will probably be in the mix, and it’ll be a rough and tumble match.
I can hardly wait. Forca Espanyol
