Espanyol Communiqué: Special Security Operation for the Derby Against Barça

The board of RCD Espanyol announced, through a statement, the special security measures for the Catalan derby of matchday 18 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26. The 'pericos' will host FC Barcelona at Cornellà (9:00 PM) in a match considered high-risk due to the hostilities that usually accompany the derby, this time spiced up by the return of Joan García to the 'blanquiazul' stronghold.

The transfer of the Catalan goalkeeper to Barça in the summer for 25 million euros was considered a betrayal by Espanyol fans, who do not forgive the Sallent native for moving to the eternal 'perico' rival this season. The culés, moreover, celebrated their last two league titles at Cornellà and arrive leaders for matchday 18, already with the winter championship secured

In this regard, Espanyol's board does not want to allow any incidents of any kind before, during, and after the match, which is why they will reinforce a security detail that includes **thorough checks upon entry** for fans to the stadium, as well as **safety nets** behind both goals to prevent the throwing of objects onto the field

Espanyol already warned about Cornellà closure

As in recent derbies, the club prohibited the entry of t-shirts, flags, caps, and any object or garment with Barça's colors and symbolism. It is also not permitted to enter with bulky objects (motorcycle helmets, suitcases, computers...) or other artifacts that could be thrown onto the field, as well as bags or backpacks of considerable size.

The RCDE Stadium is already on notice for total or partial closure by LaLiga and other economic sanctions in case of incidents during the match. In 2023, the stadium was punished with two matchdays of closure following the pitch invasion that occurred at the end of the match where Barça sealed the 22/23 League title with a resounding victory (2-4).

The players and staff members had to take refuge in the locker room when they were about to celebrate the championship on the Cornellà pitch. In October 2024, the stadium was once again warned of closure due to an assault (throwing of objects) against referee Alejandro Quintero González after the 'pericos' defeat against Villarreal (1-2).

Barça has never lost a league match at the RCDE Stadium

Hansi Flick and Lamine Yamal in the match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol in LaLiga EA Sports 24/25

Barcelona, for the moment, has gone almost 19 years without losing a league match away to Espanyol. The last time the 'pericos' defeated the 'cules' at home was in January 2007 (3-1), when the 'blanquiazules' were still playing in Montjuïc.

Since the inauguration of the RCDE Stadium in the 2009/10 season, Barça has achieved 9 wins and 6 draws in 15 visits, with the last two ending in victories (2-4 and 0-2) that secured the league title for the Blaugranas. The last time Barça did not win as a visitor in Cornellà was in the 21/22 season (2-2).

Espanyol only managed to celebrate one derby win in their new stadium. It was in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals 17/18 (1-0), but Barcelona came back in the second leg at Camp Nou (2-0) and ended up winning the trophy after thrashing Sevilla in the final played at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid (0-5)