Espanyol and Barça face off in this matchday 36 of the EA Sports League, a classic that could be decisive for the League. A victory for the culés would mathematically give Flick's team the title, while if the blanquiazules win, they would secure another year in the First Division. The match can be watched through Movistar+ and the minute-by-minute updates through our social media @carpetasblaugranas.
The main referee of the match will be César Soto Grado, accompanied in the VAR by Javier Iglesias Villanueva. The Madrid referee has a record with Espanyol of 7 matches: 1 win, 2 draws, and 4 losses. The culé team has been refereed more times (13), with a record of 5 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses.
How Espanyol arrives
Manolo González's team has had a spectacular second half of the season; in fact, thanks to that, it is very likely they will be saved. They have accumulated 27 points since this half started, double what they achieved in the first. The record is 7 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses, numbers that would place them in Europe if the first 19 matchdays weren't counted.
In the pre-match press conference, the blanquiazul coach was asked about the tension of the classic and he replied that the important thing is to be competitive again for the full 90 minutes. Regarding the team's situation, he comments that the squad is not happy with the performance in the first part of the season and that now the important thing is to secure salvation. Regarding the opponent they will face, it is expected that they will perform at a high level because "nobody has given them anything."
As for the XI, there are few doubts about the players who will form it and the formation they will use. A 4-3-3, with two more defensive midfielders (Edu Expósito and De Zárate) and an attacking midfielder (Kral). The defense will be the usual and up front, the only position that could vary would be the right winger (Antoniu Roca or Jofre Carreras).
How Barça arrives
The blaugrana team is just 3 points away from being crowned League champions and the first opportunity is in this classic. All this could change if Madrid doesn't beat Mallorca, although it is most likely that they will need to beat Espanyol this Thursday to achieve their 32nd trophy. There are several players at risk of suspension: Gavi, Fermín, and Raphinha, if they receive a card, will miss the match against Villarreal.
Flick commented in a press conference that he doesn't want to think about celebrations in the Madrid match; the important thing is them and beating Espanyol. Regarding their opponent, he praised the second half of the season that the perico team has had, with a very defined style, with dangerous players who can harm his team. As for his renewal, he didn't want to talk about the subject (nor about possible signings), but he states that he is very happy.
Regarding the starting XI, the German coach confirmed that both Cubarsí (who received a knock in training) and Lewandowski are available. Araujo will be one of the new additions, due to Íñigo's absence (serving a yellow card suspension) and will probably be accompanied by Christensen. Eric García will continue as right-back, but on the other side, Balde is very likely to start after his good minutes against Real Madrid last Sunday.
Keys to the match
Joan García, the best in the League: the blanquiazul goalkeeper is having one of the best League endings for a goalkeeper. He is the goalkeeper with the most saves; in total, he has accumulated 127 interventions, some of which have helped his team earn points. This year Barça has already faced rival goalkeepers who have had their best match against them (Leo Román, Dmitrovic)
Runs down the left wing: Balde's return allows Flick to have one more option in the offensive phase. The runs from the back, from the Spanish full-back, allow them to bypass pressure lines and, therefore, free up players who are between lines to receive the ball with an advantage. Additionally, Raphinha clears the lane for the youth player, which increases his presence in the area and, with it, the danger to the opponent's goal.
First opportunity: the victory in the Clásico left the League very much on track for Flick's team, as they have a 7-point lead. The classic is the first "matchball" to win the league title, thus closing a dream season in which only the Champions League cherry on top was missing. If this squad has stood out for anything, it is for knowing how to control difficult situations and, although this one is not difficult at first glance, it will be necessary to manage emotions.
