Barcelona’s biggest rival in football is Real Madrid. There is no question about that. However, Barcelona may consider another team as big a rival as Real. Barcelona’s city rival, Espanyol, which is a bearer of Catalan ethnicity. And not just a city rival. While Barcelona believes in the Catalan idea, a section of Espanyol is a supporter of Madrid-based Spain.
The match against Espanyol, which is far behind in strength, is something very special for Barcelona. Team Barca is very serious in the Catalan derby at 1:30 am Bangladesh time. However, there is a special occasion in this match. Barcelona will confirm the La Liga title if they win today’s match.
Barcelona had already done their job. Last week, Barcelona defeated their arch-rival Real Madrid in La Liga and gained a 7-point lead. There were 3 matches left in the league. If Real Madrid lost a point in their match yesterday, Barca would have confirmed the title. However, Los Blancos defeated Mallorca 2-1 at home with a last-minute goal.
Real Madrid currently has 78 points after playing 36 matches. On the other hand, Barcelona has 82 points after playing 35 matches. If they defeat Espanyol at home, Barcelona’s points will be 85. Even if they lose the last two matches, there is no loss. If Real wins the last two matches, the points will be 84. So it can be said that Barcelona has a chance to secure the title today at the stadium of their city rivals.
Barcelona will miss their striker Ferran Torres before this Catalan derby match. He had to undergo surgery due to appendicitis. That is why he is not in the squad for the match. However, coach Hansi Flick is not too worried about it.
Because the team’s main striker Robert Lewandowski can play the full 90 minutes again in this match. Barca did not get the service of the lever in the semi-final against Inter Milan and the La Liga match against Real Madrid. However, the Polish striker can be in today’s match after ending the fear.
Lewandowski is well on his way to becoming the league’s top scorer this season. He has scored 25 goals in 31 league matches. Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe has two more goals than him in the race for the Golden Boot. When he takes the field, the 36-year-old Lewandowski will come out with a hunger for goals.
