Lliga: Espanyol - Barca 0-2
- Thread starter Barcaman
- Start date
KingMessi
SiempreBlaugrana
I'll give credit to Lucho if Rafa plays well, but it's just that there's really no need to take the risk.
I don't think that Espanyol will park an Airbus 380, I am quite confident that they will try to put Barca out of their comfort zone in certain phases of the game.
+ 1000
This exactly
Leo_Messi
New member
Most above average teams that we play against try to put us out of our comfort zone but that does not mean that their main approach will be to attack us. Espanyol will try to flood the midfield, stay compact, play as hard as the referee allows them to and try to hit us on the counter or on set pieces. As usual.
The lineup is as expected. The only surprise is Rafinha playing. If he performs badly Lucho can always substitute him in place of Rakitic or Xavi. Not the end of the world. I think that Rafinha will want to prove something in this game and I hail Luchos cojones to give our youngsters a chance even in difficult away games.
StarLord
New member
Can't wait for the game. Getting nervous as well. Slowly but steadily.
The bastards are really up for it. Took at quick look at their forum. Some hilarious stuff to read for us Spanish speakers here on this forum.
http://www.fuerzaperica.com/foro_del_rcd_espanyol-iforos.htm
Anyway I believe that it will be a really difficult game for mainly 4 reasons.
1) It's the Catalan derby in front of their home crowd. The most important game during Espanyol's season unless they are fighting for trophies which thankfully happens rarely.
2) They can still reach the 7th spot and thus qualify for the Europa League. They are only 4 points behind Málaga and Athletic who have played 1 more game.
3) Espanyol is yet to defeat us at Cornellà.
4) Their players (Caicedo, Casilla, Lucas Vázquez etc.) and Sergio seem really fired up and they would love nothing more than take points from us considering that we are fighting for the league.
We are the final stage on our "Tourmalet" tour and no doubt that fatigue might play a role. Or us underestimating Espanyol subconsciously. Espanyol will give it all and will likely play with 3 destroyers in the midfield and do everything to stop our game. It might very well be an ugly but high intensive game for the neutral.
If we win this game then we will be in a very comfortable position vis-a-vis our league hopes. Here is hoping.
¡Visca el Barça!
What are those pericos saying, indulge us with a few examples please...
Icarium
Lifestealer
StarLord
New member
Very good line-up. Rakitic needs to rest his ass a bit.
Leo_Messi
New member
What are those pericos saying, indulge us with a few examples please...
A lot of nonsense. I hope that the crying becomes even funnier if we win today. I will translate some of their ramblings if you wish so later
Now I am getting ready for the game.
Espanyol's starting lineup;
En el Espanyol saldrá de inicio: Casilla; Arbilla, Álvaro, Héctor Moreno, Rubén Duarte; Cañas, Abraham; Lucas Vázquez, Víctor Álvarez, Sergio García y Caicedo.
A bit more offensive than I initially thought. Still Sergio is playing with Víctor Álvarez (a left back) in the midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation. So actually only 3 attack minded players.
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