"A Catalan derby to start the new year, and at a venue where the game and atmosphere are always eventful! Lamine Yamal's rocket, Espanyol ultras storming the pitch after Barca won the title there, Gerard Pique getting pelters for calling them Espanyol de Cornella, and more... there's generally something to keep the headline writers happy. Ahead of the game, the hosts will have fancied their chances for once, given how well they've been playing under Manolo Gonzalez."
"As it turned out, there were no rats sent anywhere near Joan Garcia's direction, but the level of hostility towards the keeper every time he touched the ball was something to behold. To his absolute credit, he didn't allow that to affect his natural game. He stood tall as Roberto Fernandez bore down on goal, and his incredible point-blank save from Pere Milla's towering header was the moment of the match to that point."
The RCDE Stadium hosted a fiery Catalan derby blending on-field drama with intense crowd atmosphere, including past incidents involving ultras and provocative chants. Barcelona sought three points to extend a lead over Real Madrid before the Spanish Super Cup while Espanyol, managed by Manolo Gonzalez, had been performing strongly and fancied their chances. Los Periquitos aimed for a first league win in the fixture since 2009. Joan Garcia returned to the ground to face significant hostility from the terraces, though no rats were thrown in his direction. Garcia produced crucial saves, notably a point-blank stop from Pere Milla's towering header and a sensational second-half save, reinforcing defensive confidence and proving decisive.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
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