{"id":52828,"date":"2025-05-15T03:04:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T01:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weisetech.dev\/fc-barcelona-noticias\/en\/espanyol-barcelona-key-derby-for-title-and-permanence_312634_102\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T09:38:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T07:38:27","slug":"espanyol-barcelona-key-derby-for-title-and-permanence_312634_102","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fcbarcelonanoticias.com\/en\/laliga\/espanyol-barcelona-key-derby-for-title-and-permanence_312634_102.html","title":{"rendered":"Espanyol vs FC Barcelona: Flick’s team goes for the last step towards an unforgettable League title"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bar\u00e7a needs one more step for the league title against an Espanyol in need of points to avoid relegation<\/h2> \r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n Calendar of FC Barcelona <\/a>\r\n<\/div>

Espanyol and FC Barcelona<\/strong> face each other for the 174th time in LaLiga. The Azulgrana team is just one victory away from celebrating the league title for the twenty-eighth time in its history, while the ‘Pericos’ also need to add the three points to ensure their permanence in the First Division.<\/p>

\"Espanyol<\/picture><\/a> <\/figure>

Related<\/p>

Espanyol vs. FC Barcelona live and online: When and where to watch the match on TV <\/a> <\/h4> <\/div> <\/section><\/div>

In a decisive derby, of opposing realities<\/a>, Bar\u00e7a is a clear favorite to take its 104th victory against the ‘Pericos’ in the League and the twenty-seventh of the season. Hansi Flick’s team remains undefeated this 2025 in the tournament, with an impressive streak of 14 victories and only 2 draws in the second round.<\/p>

After the epic comeback against Real Madrid in the Cl\u00e1sico (4-3), Bar\u00e7a was only 2 points away from the championship, with 9 to play. The ‘merengues’ did their homework against Mallorca (2-1)<\/a>, but they depend on a miracle to arrive alive to the last two matchdays.<\/p>

In that sense, the cul\u00e9s are going for the last step towards an unforgettable League title, full of thrashings, comebacks and with a full of victories against a clearly inferior Madrid.<\/p>

One victory separates Barcelona from its 28th League title<\/h2>

And it is that, for Barcelona, a triumph against Espanyol, or a draw in the derby and another on Sunday against Villarreal<\/strong>, will be enough to celebrate a more than deserved League title.<\/p>

Of course, the Azulgrana team will go out from minute 1 for the victory in Cornell\u00e0, a always complicated field where they precisely celebrated their last League title<\/strong>.<\/p>

\"Espanyol<\/picture><\/a> <\/figure>

Related<\/p>

Espanyol vs FC Barcelona: Probable lineups and surprise rotations for the League derby <\/a> <\/h4> <\/div> <\/section><\/div>

On matchday 34 of 22\/23, the team then led by Xavi Hern\u00e1ndez won by a landslide (2-4) to liquidate a tournament that they also dominated with an iron fist.<\/p>

This season, despite having been 7 points behind Real Madrid on matchday 20<\/strong>, Flick’s team managed to react in time in the second round. The Catalans arrive with 5 victories in a row and 14 triumphs in their last 15 presentations.<\/p>

For now, Bar\u00e7a has a 4-point advantage over Madrid, with one more game for the Whites<\/a>. If Bar\u00e7a wins the Catalan derby, they will go back to 7 points ahead of the ‘merengues’, with only 2 matchdays to play. <\/p>

Similarly, two draws against Espanyol and Villarreal will be enough for the cul\u00e9s to be champions<\/strong>, because in case of a tie in points, the direct confrontation (8-2 favorable to the Catalans) and the goal difference tip the balance in favor of Barcelona.<\/p>
LALIGA CLASSIFICATION – MATCHDAY 36<\/strong><\/caption> \t
Team<\/th> \t\t\tMP<\/th> \t\t\tPTS<\/th> \t\t\tW<\/th> \t\t\tD<\/th> \t\t\tL<\/th> \t\t\tGF<\/th> \t\t\tGA<\/th> \t\t\tGD<\/th> \t\t<\/tr><\/thead>
Barcelona<\/td> \t\t\t35<\/td> \t\t\t82<\/strong><\/td> \t\t\t26<\/td> \t\t\t4<\/td> \t\t\t5<\/td> \t\t\t95<\/td> \t\t\t36<\/td> \t\t\t59<\/td> \t\t<\/tr>
R.Madrid<\/td> \t\t\t36<\/td> \t\t\t78<\/strong><\/td> \t\t\t24<\/td> \t\t\t6<\/td> \t\t\t6<\/td> \t\t\t74<\/td> \t\t\t38<\/td> \t\t\t32<\/td> \t\t<\/tr>
Atl\u00e9tico<\/td> \t\t\t35<\/td> \t\t\t70<\/strong><\/td> \t\t\t20<\/td> \t\t\t10<\/td> \t\t\t5<\/td> \t\t\t60<\/td> \t\t\t27<\/td> \t\t\t33<\/td> \t\t<\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table>

Last 5 matches of FC Barcelona in LaLiga<\/h3>
  1. \ud83d\udfe2 4-3 against Real Madrid <\/strong>in Montju\u00efc  (matchday 35)<\/li> \t
  2. \ud83d\udfe2 1-2 against Valladolid <\/strong>in Pucela <\/strong>(matchday 34)<\/li> \t
  3. \ud83d\udfe2 1-0 against Mallorca<\/strong> in Montju\u00efc (matchday 33)<\/li> \t
  4. \ud83d\udfe2 4-3 against Celta <\/strong>in Montju\u00efc (matchday 32)<\/li> \t
  5. \ud83d\udfe2 0-1 against Legan\u00e9s<\/strong> in Butarque (matchday 31)<\/li> <\/ol>

    The ‘pericos’, for their part, arrive at the derby in serious trouble after adding only 1 point from the last 12 at stake<\/strong>. Espanyol seemed to be heading for their permanence, without any scares, with a victory against Getafe (1-0) and a draw against Valencia (1-1) on matchdays 31 and 32.<\/p>

    However, the defeats against Villarreal (1-0), Betis (1-2) and Legan\u00e9s (3-2)<\/strong> have lowered Manolo Gonz\u00e1lez’s team to 16th place, with 39 points and 5 ahead of Legan\u00e9s (34).<\/p>

    The fall in Butarque, last matchday, confirmed the crisis of the ‘blanquiazul’ team before receiving an undefeated Bar\u00e7a in Cornell\u00e0 since the opening of the stadium in 2009<\/a>.<\/p>

    <\/div> <\/div>

    In the first round, Bar\u00e7a won against Espanyol in Montju\u00efc (3-1) <\/strong>with a double by Dani Olmo and another goal by Raphinha. The three goals fell in the initial half hour, something that Hansi Flick’s team has repeated on multiple occasions this season.<\/p>

    Last 5 matches of Espanyol in LaLiga <\/h3>
    1. \ud83d\udd343-2 against Legan\u00e9s<\/strong> in Butarque (matchday 35)<\/li> \t
    2. \ud83d\udd341-2 against Betis <\/strong>in Cornell\u00e0 (matchday 34)<\/li> \t
    3. \ud83d\udd341-0 against Villarreal <\/strong>in Villarreal (matchday 33)<\/li> \t
    4. \ud83d\udfe11-1 against Valencia <\/strong>in Mestalla (matchday 32)<\/li> \t
    5. \ud83d\udfe21-0 against Getafe <\/strong>in Cornell\u00e0 (matchday 31)<\/li> <\/ol>

      Bar\u00e7a, going for the last step to win a League in which they have been clearly superior<\/h2>

      In LaLiga 24\/25, Flick’s team are leaders in victories (26), goals in favor (95), goal difference (+59) <\/strong>and have defeated at least once 18 of their 19 rivals.<\/p>

      Only Betis (two draws) avoided falling against a Bar\u00e7a that, in addition, adds 15 thrashings and another 6 key comebacks<\/strong> to reach matchday 36 with one hand on the trophy.<\/p>

      Despite the slump in the final stretch of the first round, the team recovered in 2025, completing, for the moment, their best second half of the League in history after adding 44 of 48 possible points<\/strong>.<\/p>

      The team recovered the lead on matchday 24<\/strong>, after losing it momentarily on the 15th. In total, the cul\u00e9s have been leaders in 25 of the 36 matchdays played, a sample of the overwhelming Azulgrana dominance despite falling 5 times in the first round.<\/p>

      Hansi Flick will make rotations again in the Espanyol-Bar\u00e7a<\/h2>
      \"La
      Bar\u00e7a’s lineup in the last League Cl\u00e1sico<\/div> <\/div> <\/div>

      For the Espanyol-Bar\u00e7a, Hansi Flick will make adjustments to his lineup again, after repeating XI in the return of ‘semis’ of Champions against Inter Milan and the Cl\u00e1sico against Real Madrid.<\/p>

      The most likely is that Ter Stegen<\/strong> returns to the goal instead of Szczesny, while Alejandro Balde<\/strong> would be back on the left side, after a month out due to injury. On the right, Eric Garc\u00eda<\/strong> point again as a replacement for the injured Jules Kound\u00e9.<\/p>

      In the center of defense, I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez will be out, due to suspension, so it is likely that Andreas Christensen<\/strong>, with a very good second half against Madrid, will accompany Pau Cubars\u00ed<\/strong>.<\/p>

      In midfield, the only likely adjustment points to the return of Ferm\u00edn L\u00f3pez<\/strong> to the position of attacking midfielder, instead of Dani Olmo. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong<\/strong> will continue in midfield, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal<\/strong> as wingers.<\/p>

      The other great novelty would be the presence of Robert Lewandowski<\/strong> as ‘9’, after three matchdays absent due to physical problems. Ferran Torres’ operation (appendicitis) opens the door of the XI to the Pole<\/a>, who also needs to score again to rejoin the fight for the ‘Pichichi’.<\/p>

      Espanyol, forced to win to ward off the ghost of relegation<\/h2>

      Beyond the bad moment in the last month of competition, Espanyol has everything in their hands to ensure staying in LaLiga, at least, one more year. With a victory, Manolo Gonz\u00e1lez’s team will ensure permanence<\/strong>, by distancing themselves to 8 from Lega with only 2 matchdays to play.<\/p>

      Alav\u00e9s, seventeenth, also won on matchday 36<\/strong>, putting pressure on the ‘pericos’ by getting to only 1 point. Las Palmas (19th) continues with 32 and is practically relegated after falling against Sevilla (1-0).<\/p>

      However, the mission for Espanyol in the derby is of very high difficulty. The ‘blanquiazules’ have not defeated Bar\u00e7a at home since 2007<\/strong>, when they still played in Montju\u00efc and, in addition, they will have two key absences on Thursday.<\/p>

      Pol Lozano (injured) and Omar El Hilali (suspended) will not be available<\/strong>, with which the coach loses one of his midfielders and his starting right back. Thus, Manolo Gonz\u00e1lez’s team will go for a setback that keeps the fight for the championship alive, at least, one more matchday.<\/p>