Barcelona will play Espanyol in Matchday 35 of La Liga on Wednesday. Following their refreshing 1-4 victory against Villarreal in their previous match, Culers around the world will be excited to see whether the Blaugranes can build on their recent improvements.
Espanyol currently sit 20th in La Liga with 24 points having scored 27 goals and conceded 54 in their 34 matches so far. Having lost their last five matches, Los Pericos would be relegated if they fail to get a positive result from the Camp Nou. To say the season from the other team in Barcelona has been a resounding failure is an understatement.
As explained in much more detail in our latest The Barcelona Podcast, the Blaugranes are still technically fighting for La Liga but, in reality, I just don’t see how Real Madrid could lose five points in their remaining four matches.
Having said that, Barca are obliged to challenge Los Blancos until the title is mathematically lost – while, in turn, using these last few matches as a dress rehearsal for the Champions League return in August.
Listen to The Barcelona Podcast for our detailed discussion on Barca’s title chances, tactics, squad management and more:
Against Espanyol, my first instinct was to rest Gerard Pique and give Ronald Araujo some valuable minutes to continue his progression. Having said that, I am sure that our Number 3 would take great pleasure on playing a key role when sending city rivals Espanyol to the Segunda Division – especially given the ongoing abuse that not only himself, but also wife Shakira and even his children have been exposed to in Cornella in recent years.
Given the success of Quique Setien’s 4-4-2 rhombus formation (or 4-1-2-1-2, as other outlets have defined it), I expect the Santander-born manager to persevere with his latest tactical approach.
As I explained in our latest The Barcelona Podcast, Riqui Puig has shown enough potential to be trusted as a starter right now. Playing at the Camp Nou, I see no reason why the La Masia graduate shouldn’t be included in the initial lineup. Riqui’s connection with Messi and Alba (mainly, but also others) makes Barcelona a much more vertical team.
I would normally use a similar argument for Ansu Fati to start the game. However, I feel that Setien should start Luis Suarez instead to consolidate the revised attacking trident that connected so well in Villarreal – then bring on both Fati (subbing Suarez) and Braithwaite (subbing Griezmann) around the 50th minute mark.
Sergi Roberto should be trusted in midfield again, and Ivan Rakitic could then be used as our midfield pivot to give Sergio Busquets some much-needed resting time.
Here is my suggested The Barcelona Podcast XI for the Blaugranes’ home match against Espanyol:
This could very well be the last Catalan derby in Primera Division for years, especially if Espanyol’s board continue to destroy the club at the rate they have done in recent times – not that I’m complaining, of course.
Honestly, I would not miss Espanyol one bit. The other team in Barcelona have traditionally stepped their game up against the Blaugranes (often using violent tackles and aggressive tactics) to please their fans, as if their lives depended on it. In contrast, they have almost gifted Real Madrid six points every single year without putting up much resistance.
Let’s hope Barca B succeed in their upcoming promotion playoffs so that we can witness a glorious Espanyol – Barca B match-up in Segunda Division next season.
I trust that Barcelona will beat Espanyol with a 3-0 victory at the Camp Nou on Wednesday – preferably with Pique scoring a sensational hat-trick.
Francesc Tomàs is a Catalan columnist featured in ESPN, The Guardian and many others. Born and raised minutes away from the Camp Nou, Francesc has been sharing his opinionated views with thousands of faithful Culer listeners via The Barcelona Podcast since 2017.
