Barcelona want to be champions in Cornella

The most unequal derby is also a historic derby. Espanyol and Barça are playing for everything in the battle at Cornellà. The Blue and Whites need a win to keep dreaming of staying in the league. The Blaugrana want victory to officially conquer the league. There is a lot - a lot - at stake in this clash between the leaders and the second from bottom side. Barça's record in the top flight has been almost impeccable. They have won 26 of the 33 matches played so far. And they have conceded only 11 goals. Nothing at all like Espanyol's performance: they are the second worst team in the competition (surpassed only by the already relegated Elche) with only 7 wins. The difference in points is spectacular: the Blaugrana have 82 to the Blue and Whites' 31.

But the gulf that separates the two teams in the standings is not reflected in their recent encounters. In the first match, played on December 31 after the World Cup, Barça could only draw 1-1 with Espanyol at the Spotify Camp Nou. And Xavi has won only one of his three games against the Blue and Whites since he has been coach of the Blaugrana. That means, of course, that the huge differences are reduced when the two sides take to the field. Because a derby is always a derby. And even more so on this occasion, with Espanyol in a state of absolute emergency. 

Xavi is aware of the difficulty of tonight's game in Cornellà. Barça are facing their first chance to win the league, their first match ball for the title, with enormous excitement but also with the belief that it will be a very complicated game. The Blaugrana coach himself acknowledged this in his pre-match press conference: "It will be a heated match, they are playing for survival and we expect an aggressive and competitive Espanyol. We will have to do things very well tactically and technically". Xavi's only objective is victory. To be able to celebrate the title in style. Winning the derby and winning a well-deserved league title.