Olmo breaks the deadlock and wins it for Barcelona

A spectacular save by Joan García to keep Barça out

Espanyol have been the better side over Barcelona in the opening minutes

The lineups

A City Clash with History and Added Tension

The Catalan derby returns to center stage in the 2025/26 LaLiga season as Espanyol and Barcelona face off at the RCDE Stadium in one of the most intense fixtures on the calendar. This edition comes with extra significance: Barcelona arrive as league leaders and aim to extend their winning run, while Espanyol come in with strong momentum after a series of positive results that have them pushing toward the European places.

Geographical proximity fuels the rivalry, and this derby always delivers high emotion regardless of league position. This time around, expectations differ on each side: the Blaugrana look to widen the gap at the top and reaffirm their status as title favorites, while the Pericos want to prove their solidity against one of Spain’s giants.

Team News and Confirmed Absences

On the visiting side, Barcelona arrive with several key updates. Head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed the return of Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo, both available for the derby and adding creativity and spark to the attack. Pedri, who missed the previous match due to a minor muscle issue, has returned to full training and is expected to feature, strengthening the Blaugrana midfield.

However, the injury list remains significant. Gavi and Andreas Christensen are still sidelined with knee problems, while Ronald Araujo is not yet at full fitness following a personal leave, leaving his availability dependent on his physical condition.

For Espanyol, the situation is also far from ideal. The home side are dealing with important absences: Ramón Terrats is ruled out with a thigh injury, while Javi Puado is a doubt after picking up a physical issue. In addition, Charles Pickel is away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, limiting options in midfield.

What’s at Stake in the Derby

Beyond pride and rivalry, this match carries clear implications for the standings. Barcelona are riding an impressive LaLiga winning streak, and another three points would further solidify their position at the summit. For Espanyol, a strong performance in front of their supporters could be a defining moment, helping them close the gap to the teams above and reinforce their push toward European qualification.

The contrast in styles adds intrigue: while Barcelona thrive on possession, creativity, and individual brilliance, Espanyol have built their campaign on defensive organization and efficient transitions. That balance sets the stage for a compelling and hard-fought derby.

This Espanyol vs Barcelona is more than just another local rivalry—it’s a clash shaped by history, current form, and competitive ambition. A night of pride, pressure, and passion that promises intensity from the opening whistle to the final moment.