The Catalan derby has regained its splendour, revitalised thanks to an Espanyol side that has managed to find its place. Historically affected by marginal treatment and pushed to the media sidelines by a Barcelona that absorbs much of the local spotlight, the club has found in its slogan its greatest weapon: a wonderful minority'. Manolo Gonzalez is the meeting point for every level of the club.
"It had been a very intense game," Alonso said. "The atmosphere at Anfield in a Champions League game is top. We needed [Alexander-Arnold's] quality. We needed his threat from the wing. "[The reaction] could be expected. [He is] professional and mature. He was ready for that so no problem."
When John Aldridge swapped the famous red of Liverpool for the blue and white of Real Sociedad in 1989, he expected fresh challenges on the pitch. What he wasn't quite prepared for was the hostile welcome off it. The move made Aldridge the club's first non-Basque signing in decades. Since their foundation in 1909, Real Sociedad had developed a strong identity rooted in Basque culture, language, and pride. For most of the 20th century, the club adhered strictly to a Basque-only recruitment policy, similar to their fierce rivals Athletic Bilbao.
