Heading right into a derby, momentum is of paramount significance and Barcelona couldn’t have hoped to be in a greater run of kind forward of Sunday’s conflict in opposition to RCD Espanyol.
Taking part in in Montjuic in opposition to their native rivals tomorrow, the Blaugrana enter the sport having downed Bayern Munich and Actual Madrid of their final two video games. They’re flying excessive and are the overwhelming favourites to ship an announcement end result within the derby.
For the primary time in years, there seems to be little doubt over the end result that may unfold this weekend as Barça shall be extra motivated than ever to kill the derby quickly. Furthermore, their file within the recreation lately has been optimistic.
Espanyol final gained in opposition to Barcelona in 2018 whereas one must go two years additional again to search out their final win away from dwelling.
On Sunday, one can thus anticipate high-quality soccer, a motivated and assured Barcelona and a bodily gruelling recreation. Apparently, seven purple playing cards have been proven within the final six video games between the 2 Catalan rivals.
Barça Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Barcelona vs Espanyol.
A uncommon week off
The footballing calendar has solely received extra hectic with each passing yr, and the continued season could properly see its peak on that entrance.
Simply three months into the marketing campaign and elite golf equipment like Barcelona have already got their platter full with two video games scheduled each week.
At this level, it has turn out to be a norm for the Catalans to play as soon as each weekend and as soon as midweek, and with competitions just like the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Tremendous Cup but to return, it’ll solely get tougher.
The significance of the previous week for the staff, thus, can’t be understated as they loved an entire week to relaxation and rejuvenate after the win on the Santiago Bernabeu.
Having taken down Bayern Munich and Actual Madrid in two high-intensity clashes final week, the staff couldn’t have hoped for a greater week to take pleasure in and not using a fixture.
For internationals, the break was all of the extra vital for they don’t even get to relaxation on the occasional two-week hiatus. For a staff with most gamers both of their teenagers or on the fag finish of their profession, furthermore, it’s a blessing of the very best order.
The rotation equation
Taking part in after every week, there may be not a lot want for Hansi Flick to rotate the squad tomorrow evening. Nonetheless, he’ll nonetheless look to get some adjustments in to make sure all gamers are match-fit and contributing.
The most important adjustments are prone to arrive in midfield the place the coach has gone from rags to riches in a matter of weeks.
From a state of affairs of dire scarcity of sources, Flick now has a number of names to name on. Dani Olmo and Frenkie de Jong, who’re each but to begin after getting back from harm could thus be on the staff listing in opposition to Espanyol.
and shall be paired with both Marc Casado or Pedri, the previous being extra seemingly as Pedri is barely rested frequently.
Olmo, in the meantime, will because the attacking midfielder on the evening and can play within the areas behind the entrance three.
The sport additionally gives the supervisor an opportunity to rotate one full-back and it’ll seemingly be Alejandro Balde because the coach has most well-liked to offer the teenager common relaxation to stop a relapse. Jules Kounde, in the meantime, shall be rejuvenated after every week off.
Within the ultimate third, Ansu Fati presents a case to begin and will play rather than Lamine Yamal. It’s seemingly, nonetheless, that he performs on the left with with Raphinha shifting to the suitable wing.
A transient, but very important lead in sight
The horrific flash floods in Valencia have led to the postponement of all league video games scheduled within the territory, and Actual Madrid’s recreation at Mestalla has additionally thus been known as off.
Los Blancos’ hectic calendar, nonetheless, presents only a few home windows to host the sport in hand and it may thus be postponed by few months.
Barcelona prolonged their lead over Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect to 6 factors with their win in El Clasico and might thus make it 9 factors tomorrow evening. Though transient, the lead can be an announcement from the staff and put extra strain on the Merengues.
Whereas a recreation in hand certainly signifies that Barcelona’s lead just isn’t absolute, there’s a huge psychological distinction between three factors within the bag and three factors up for grabs with a spare recreation.
Ancelotti’s aspect are already beneath strain after dropping to Flick’s males and the nine-point hole on the scoreboard will solely serve to discourage them and scale back their spirits. The truth that their spare recreation is not going to come anytime quickly solely helps Barcelona’s trigger.
It’s thus very important that the Blaugrana utilise their alternative in tomorrow’s derby and ship a giant blow to the defending champions’ hopes. These are early days however strain is an actual issue.
