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Heading right into a derby, momentum is of paramount significance and Barcelona couldn’t have hoped to be in a greater run of type 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 a press release outcome within the derby.
For the primary time in years, there seems to be little doubt over the outcome that may unfold this weekend as Barça will probably be extra motivated than ever to kill the derby quickly. Furthermore, their report within the recreation in recent times has been optimistic.
Espanyol final gained in opposition to Barcelona in 2018 whereas one must go two years additional again to seek 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. Curiously, seven crimson 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 obtained extra hectic with each passing yr, and the continuing season might nicely 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 develop into 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 more difficult.
The significance of the previous week for the workforce, thus, can’t be understated as they loved a whole 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 workforce couldn’t have hoped for a greater week to get pleasure from with out a fixture.
For internationals, the break was all of the extra essential for they don’t even get to relaxation on the occasional two-week hiatus. For a workforce with most gamers both of their teenagers or on the fag finish of their profession, furthermore, it’s a blessing of the best order.
The rotation equation
Frenkie, Olmo prone to begin vs Espanyol. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Photos)
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 modifications in to make sure all gamers are match-fit and contributing.
The most important modifications 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 start out after coming back from harm might thus be on the workforce listing in opposition to Espanyol.
De Jong is prone to play as a part of the double pivot and will probably be paired with both Marc Casado or Pedri, the previous being extra doubtless as Pedri is barely rested commonly.
Olmo, in the meantime, will take his spot 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 doubtless be Alejandro Balde because the coach has most popular to offer the teen common relaxation to forestall a relapse. Jules Kounde, in the meantime, will probably be rejuvenated after every week off.
Within the remaining third, Ansu Fati presents a case to start out and will play rather than Lamine Yamal. It’s doubtless, nevertheless, that he performs on the left with with Raphinha transferring to the suitable wing.
A transient, but 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, nevertheless, presents only a few home windows to host the sport in hand and it may thus be postponed by an excellent few months.
Barcelona prolonged their lead over Carlo Ancelotti’s facet to 6 factors with their win in El Clasico and might thus make it 9 factors tomorrow evening. Though transient, the lead can be a press release from the workforce and put extra stress on the Merengues.
Whereas a recreation in hand certainly implies 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 facet are already beneath stress after shedding 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 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 stress is an actual issue.
