Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Espanyol | La Liga MD 31 | OneFootball

The last time Barcelona took on RCD Espanyol in La Liga, only a Joan Garcia masterclass at the RCDE Stadium helped them get over the line.

Now, the Blaugrana prepare to take on their local rivals for the second time in La Liga, this time in their own backyard at the Spotify Camp Nou, but the timing of the game could not have been worse.

Heading into the derby, Barcelona are now fresh off a defeat that put them 0-2 down in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal on aggregate.

Hansi Flick must now not only look to orchestrate a comeback against Atletico Madrid next week, but also maintain the team’s lead in La Liga and keep his players fresh – something that is easier said than done in the current situation.

However, the coach has no option but to find a way to keep his side alive on both fronts, and the extent and idea behind his rotations for tomorrow’s game will go a long way in deciding the same.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Espanyol.

A derby at the wrong time

In any normal situation, a game between Barcelona and Espanyol would steal the limelight as the biggest game of the match-day in La Liga.

This time, however, there is a sense of quiet around the game, and understandably so given the circumstances around its scheduling.

Barcelona, after all, take on Espanyol in between the two legs of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid and it is clear that the Blaugrana will not focus on that result as much as they would have otherwise.

After all, they also have a seven-point lead in La Liga, and if they do not prioritise the midweek game over tomorrow’s, they will be left alive in just one competition.

For their pure survival on multiple fronts, Barcelona are forced to approach tomorrow’s game with caution and a conservative approach – something that dampens the vibrant spirit of a derby. Yet, there is simply no way around the situation.

Pedri is better rested

Rest for Pedri? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Barcelona’s 0-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid midweek had several takeaways for Hansi Flick, one of the biggest of which was the substitution of Pedri at half-time.

Having started the game, the Canary Islander left the field in the 45th minute and did not return after the break. The decision was made because he was dealing with discomfort and the manager did not wish to take any risks.

Given the situation, Barcelona and Flick will not look to overload Pedri by starting him on Saturday, and the player is better rested than forced on the field in any capacity.

It thus remains to be seen who Flick deems fit to start in midfield. Eric Garcia remains an option, and Frenkie de Jong is expected to return, it is unlikely that he will start.

With Marc Bernal unavailable, Flick could also turn to Gavi as a starter. Another option would be to start one of Dani Olmo or Fermin Lopez in a deeper role as well.

Momentum has never been more valuable

Barcelona were not the worst side against Atletico Madrid for most of the game, and in fact, deserved the win more than the Colchoneros despite playing a man down for a long time.

There is, thus, good reason to believe in a comeback for Barcelona in the second leg of the fixture. However, they must ensure that they have the momentum firmly on their side ahead of the game.

What Barcelona lacked in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League was the ability to capitalise on their chances, and any performance with a strong attacking display will hand them the confidence that they can pull off the impossible midweek.

To do so against Espanyol in a heated derby affair, needless to say, will only pump the confidence further higher and Barcelona have a golden chance, in that sense, to get themselves back on track.

Flick will undoubtedly make rotations, right from defence to the forward line, but to have the team pick up a win despite the difficult circumstances will be a massive statement of the dressing room’s capabilities.