Barcelona travelled to Catalan rivals Espanyol on Saturday night looking to return to the top of La Liga.
A drab opening 45 minutes produced few opportunities, with the pair heading down the tunnel on level terms.
Luis Suarez sent Barcelona ahead early in the second period, however, before Ivan Rakitic doubled the away side's lead in the 76th minute.
Suarez then netted his second in the 87th minute as the Spanish champions returned to the top of the table in style.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the RCDE Stadium as Espanyol welcome Barcelona for the Catalan derby. These two teams might not be battling for the title like Barcelona and Real Madrid, but the rivalry is still extremely strong. Indeed, Espanyol would love nothing more than to put a dent in Barcelona's title challenge tonight. Stay tuned for all the action!
Espanyol have lost each of their last four fixtures with Barcelona, including a 4-1 defeat at Camp Nou earlier this season. The points were shared in a goalless draw in the corresponding match during last term, although Espanyol have not actually beaten Barcelona since February 2009.
Incredibly, you have to go back to the 2006-07 La Liga campaign to find Espanyol's last home league win over Barcelona (3-1) and it would be fair to say that the bragging rights in this derby belong to the Spanish champions. Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...
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TEAMS!
ESP: Diego Lopez; Aaron, Reyes, David Lopez, J.Lopez; Piatti, Fuego, Sanchez, Jurado; Caicedo, Moreno
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Gomes; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
Espanyol boss Quique Flores has made just the one change to the team that drew 1-1 with Sporting Gijon on Tuesday night, and that comes in defence as 31-year-old full-back Javi Lopez replaces Marc Navarro. Felipe Caicedo is again selected to start alongside Gerard Moreno in the final third of the field, meaning that Leo Baptistao is again on a bench which also includes Hernan Perez and Pape Diop.
As for Barcelona, head coach Luis Enrique has made five changes to the team that started Wednesday's 7-1 demolition of Osasuna. Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba, Samuel Umtiti, Luis Suarez and Neymar all return for the Spanish champions, while Andre Gomes keeps his spot after netting twice last time out. It does appear that Enrique has switched back to a 4-3-3 formation tonight.
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So there we have it. The two teams are in, and are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Barcelona. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's first start with Barcelona. The Spanish champions entered this round of fixtures top of La Liga on the head-to-head record, but Real Madrid's last-gasp 2-1 win over Valencia earlier this afternoon has seen Enrique's side drop to second – three points behind the Madrid giants. It is a fascinating battle for the title!
When Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League by Juventus earlier this month, it was a very testing time for those involved at Camp Nou. Indeed, El Clasico against a purring Real Madrid seemingly could not have come at a worse time last weekend. Barcelona showed their character at the Bernabeu, however, to secure a sensational 3-2 victory courtesy of a last-gasp winner from Lionel Messi.
Defeat away to Real Madrid would have left Barcelona's title hopes in tatters, but the victory has at least kept things interesting. Enrique's side then followed the win in Madrid with a 7-1 thumping of relegated Osasuna on Wednesday night. In truth, it was just about as one-sided a fixture as you can imagine at this level of football. Just when Barcelona needed it most, they have bounced back.
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A win for Barcelona tonight would see them return to the top of La Liga on the head-to-head record, but Real Madrid do still have a game in hand, which could prove vital in the destination of the league title. Real Madrid still have the Champions League to focus on, however, while Barcelona are now purely invested in the league before facing Alaves in next month's Copa del Rey final.
In terms of what is ahead for Barcelona, they will welcome Villarreal to Camp Nou for their next league match on May 6, before travelling to Las Palmas and welcoming Eibar in their final two league fixtures. Enrique's side will then contest the final of the Copa del Rey against Alaves on May 27.
🚌 RCDE Stadium
👍 #EspanyolFCB
🔵🔴 #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/gjH7dNtoNA — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 29, 2017
There will be changes at Barcelona this summer as Enrique prepares to step down as head coach, while a number of players are expected to be moved on. Barcelona will have been wounded by their elimination in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but snatching the title away from Real Madrid in these circumstances would make it a perfect finish to Enrique's tenure.
As for Espanyol, Quique Sanchez's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw away to Sporting Gijon on Tuesday night. The Catalan outfit have actually won three of their last six in the league, but suffered a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in their last match on home soil (April 22).
A record of 13 wins, 11 draws and 10 defeats has brought Espanyol 50 La Liga points, with that total leaving them in ninth position in the table. They are only one point behind eighth-place Eibar, but nine points behind seventh-place Athletic Bilbao as we enter the latter stages of the campaign.
Espanyol only finished 13th last season under the management of Constantin Galca, and there is no question that former Watford boss Sanchez has made big improvements at the club this season. Breaking into the top seven is going to be a tough task, but eighth place would have to go down as a very impressive first season at the helm. Little over 10 minutes until kickoff in Catalonia!
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The fact that some bookmakers are offering 14/1 for an Espanyol win is an indication of what is expected to happen. Barcelona will fancy their chances of picking up another three points against their bitter rivals, but Real Madrid will be hoping for a favour as the title race threatens to go right to the wire.
15 - Espanyol have not won any of their last 15 derbies vs Barca in La Liga, (D3 L12), their worst ever run against a single team. Torment. pic.twitter.com/hZbIBC567O — OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 29, 2017
KICKOFF! Barcelona kick things off in the Catalan derby...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. The Espanyol supporters will be desperate for their team to dent Barcelona's title hopes, but that is easier said than done. As expected, it has been a lively opening two minutes as both teams battle for possession.
Barcelona have a problem early on here as Roberto goes down holding his knee. The right-back might not be able to continue, and Enrique has sent Javier Mascherano to warm-up.
For the moment, Barcelona play with 10 men. A decision over Roberto needs to be made.
Roberto returns to the field, and will play on for now. The number 20 is not exactly moving brilliantly, however, and Mascherano is going through a pretty heavy warm-up on the sideline.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Espanyol to take the lead as Caicedo finds Jurado inside the Barcelona box, but the number 14 can only send the ball wide of the post. Had to score there!
Not an awful lot for the away side's supporters to get excited about at the moment, with Espanyol the team on the front foot in these early exchanges. We are yet to see much from Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez, although it only takes a second for that wonderful trio to create something magical.
Messi works some space in the middle third before looking to thread a pass towards Gomes, but Reyes is on hand to make the clearance. Espanyol then break down the other end, and Caicedo is proving tough for the Barcelona defence to handle. He is a really powerful centre-forward.
Possession football from Barcelona in the last few minutes, but Diego Lopez has still not had to make a save. Neymar threatened to test the goalkeeper with a curling effort, but Reyes was on hand to make the block. Just a few signs that the visitors are finding their passing rhythm here.
Another half-chance for Espanyol as Javi Lopez delivers a dangerous cross into the Barcelona box, but Caicedo cannot make contact under pressure from Umtiti. Good defending from the Frenchman.
BOOKING! Moreno (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Rakitic.
CLOSE! Rakitic's effort from distance deflects just wide of the Espanyol post.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes following a number of late challenges. Still just the one yellow card, but I suspect that will change by the end of the night. Espanyol will be pretty pleased with how they have played in the opening 18 minutes here.
Espanyol have a rotten recent record against their rivals, but you get the feeling that the home side fancy their chances tonight. Barcelona's defence has been pretty weak under early pressure here.
It is not quite happening for Neymar, Luis Suarez and Messi at the moment, with that final pass not there in the opening 22 minutes of this Catalan derby. It has been a stop-start game in the last few minutes due to a number of free kicks, but Espanyol will not mind as it interrupts Barcelona's rhythm.
Good grief. Free kick after free kick at the moment. No real flow!
Plenty of possession for Barcelona, but they have not had a serious chance in the opening 26 minutes of this football match. Indeed, Diego Lopez has been very comfortable between the sticks.
Huge roar from the home supporters as Espanyol win a corner, but the set piece comes to nothing as Pique rises to head clear. Clear opportunities have been few and far between thus far tonight.
You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Espanyol are doing their best to disrupt Barcelona in the final third, and the home side have been allowed to get away with a number of strong challenges. Neymar is coming in for some special attention, as expected.
Neymar looks for some retribution as he clashes with Javi Lopez, but it is just an Espanyol free kick. Neymar has been the brightest light for Barcelona in the opening 31 minutes of this match.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and in truth, it has not exactly been a great watch so far. Chances have been very limited in this stop-start affair. The only surprise is that there has only been one yellow card in the opening 33 minutes, and that came for a striker (Gerard Moreno).
There has only been one serious chance in this Catalan derby thus far, and that came for Jurado in the early moments. Since then, it has been a game lacking quality in the final third of the field.
Luis Suarez skips away from Javi Lopez before driving into the Espanyol box, but the Uruguay international cannot find a pass into Neymar, with the home side clearing their lines once again.
Still goalless with 39 minutes on the clock, and in truth, it has been a very poor game. As expected, there has been plenty of heart on display, but the quality has been seriously lacking. We have seen hardly anything of Messi and Luis Suarez, although Neymar has been heavily involved down the left.
CHANCE! Barcelona create their best chance of the first period as Neymar picks out the head of Roberto with a brilliant cross, but the right-back can only head into the side-netting!
Really good spell for Barcelona at the moment as they put Espanyol's defence under pressure.
Espanyol are camped outside of their own box at the moment as Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. The home side will welcome the half-time whistle here.
Luis Suarez finds Neymar with a smart pass, but the Brazilian's effort was always wide.
HALF-TIME: Espanyol 0-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams heading down the tunnel at 0-0. In truth, it was a very disappointing first 45 minutes. The best chance of the half fell to Espanyol only on, but Spanish winger Jurado turned wide of the post from inside the Barcelona box.
STATISTICS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 66%, although the Spanish champions failed to hit the target with any of their four attempts in the first period. Espanyol, meanwhile, only had one attempt - Jurado's effort. Just the one yellow card to report - Moreno in the 14th minute.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has a number of attacking options on his bench tonight, with Paco Alcacer, Alena, Denis Suarez and Arda Turan all available. Espanyol, meanwhile, have the likes of Baptistao, Diop, Perez and Roca on what is a very attack-minded bench here.
RESTART! Espanyol resume the action on home soil...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace in Catalonia.
Barcelona have a free kick in a dangerous area as Piatti brings Messi to the deck...
... Neymar delivers low into the Espanyol box, but Fuego clears his lines.
You do get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Barcelona finished the first period on the front foot, and they are threatening early in the second. Neymar is the player causing most of Espanyol's problems as he continues to drift inside from the left.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-1 Barcelona (Suarez)
Nightmare for Espanyol! Barcelona take the lead in the Catalan derby as Luis Suarez takes advantage of a terrible back-pass from Jurado before finishing past Diego Lopez in the one-on-one situation. What a horror piece of play from Jurado, who sold his goalkeeper very short there!
Alba looks to have a problem for Barcelona after turning his foot in a challenge with David Lopez.
Another half-chance for the away side as Neymar dances into the Espanyol box before looking to cut the ball back to a teammate, but Reyes is on hand to make an important near-post clearance.
Caicedo is currently on the deck for Espanyol following a challenge with Pique.
Little over 30 minutes of the Catalan derby remaining, and Barcelona are really pressing for a second goal here. Espanyol just cannot get out of their own half as the pressure stays on.
BOOKING! Martin (Espanyol) is booked for a late tackle on Messi.
The atmosphere is really heating up here as both sets of players exchange words following a challenge between Pique and Martin. The home supporters are also very lively as we enter the final 30 minutes of this contest. Luis Suarez's goal early in the second period separates the two teams.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Diego Lopez to keep out Neymar's curling effort.
ESPANYOL SUB! Baptistao replaces Caicedo for the home side.
Better from Espanyol as Jurado breaks down the left before delivering, but Pique makes the block and Barcelona survive a dangerous moment. Still more than 25 minutes of football to play tonight.
You just get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match. Barcelona have dominated the second period, but at 1-0, Espanyol will always be in the contest. We are entering the stage of the match where Luis Enrique will be considering making alterations to freshen his midfield.
ESPANYOL SUB! Hernan Perez replaces Piatti in Espanyol's second change.
BOOKING! Fuego (Espanyol) is booked for a foul on Messi.
Messi's free kick is straight into the arms of Diego Lopez.
SAVE! Ter Stegen has to drop down to keep out a powerful strike from Jurado.
Martin breaks down the left for Espanyol before looking to pick out Moreno with a deep cross, but the weight of the pass is just too strong, and Barcelona can resume the play from the dead-ball line.
Still no movement on the Barcelona bench as we approach the final 15 minutes of action.
As it stands, Barcelona will move above Real Madrid to the top of La Liga on the head-to-head record. Espanyol, however, are still alive in this contest as they battle for a point on home soil.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona (Rakitic)
Barcelona double their lead in the Catalan derby as Rakitic rolls the ball into the bottom corner after a wonderful run from Messi. That should be game, set and match in this Catalan derby!
BARCELONA SUB! Mascherano replaces Gomes for Barcelona.
ESPANYOL SUB! Roca replaces Fuego for the home side.
Little under 10 minutes of football remaining here, and Barcelona are heading back to the top of the table on the head-to-head record. Espanyol were pretty good in the first period of this derby, but Barcelona have been excellent since the break, and the visitors deserve to be ahead here.
SAVE! Roberto strikes one from distance, but Lopez drops to his knees to make the save.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with Barcelona keeping possession of the ball as the clock runs down. It has been a professional performance tonight.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-3 Barcelona (Suarez)
Barcelona have their third of the match as a terrible clearance from Martin falls straight to Luis Suarez, and the striker rounds the home side's goalkeeper before finding the back of the net.
The stadium has emptied as we play out the final moments tonight.
We are into the second of two additional minutes at the end of the 90 here.
SAVE! Smart save from Diego Lopez to keep out Messi's low strike!
FULL-TIME: Espanyol 0-3 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 2-0 winners over Espanyol. The result has seen Enrique's side return to the top of the table on the head-to-head record, although Real Madrid still have a game in hand. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live action once again. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
