"Barcelona begin the new year with one of the most emotionally charged fixtures in Spanish football, a Catalan derby away from home against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. These matches are rarely calm, often tense, and almost always loud. Hostility is expected, emotions run high, and every detail is amplified under the derby spotlight. This particular meeting carries an extra edge due to the return of Joan Garcia, who is set to start between the posts wearing Barcelona colours."
"Espanyol supporters never forgot the gesture Iniesta made at the 2010 World Cup, a moment that went far beyond club colours. After scoring the goal that gave Spain their first World Cup title, Iniesta lifted his shirt to reveal a message honouring his late friend and Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, who had tragically passed away months earlier. That gesture stayed with Espanyol fans."
Barcelona begin the new year with a Catalan derby away at Espanyol's RCDE Stadium, a fixture marked by high tension, hostility, and amplified emotions. Joan Garcia returns to start in goal for Barcelona, adding extra edge to the meeting. Catalan derbies have often produced confrontation, provocation, and controversy, but have also seen moments of respect and dignity. Some Barcelona players have left the RCDE Stadium to applause rather than jeers. Andrés Iniesta's World Cup tribute to Dani Jarque remained in the memory of Espanyol supporters, earning applause when Barcelona won 5-1 at the ground in December 2010.
Read at Barca Universal
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]