Two Different Interests In The Crucial Catalan Derby

JAKARTA - Camp Nou will host the Catalan derb on Wednesday when second-placed Barcelona take on bottom-placed Espanyol.

Both teams need three points but for different reasons. Los Blaugrana are looking to stay alive in the title race, while Los Periquitos are trying to avoid relegation.

If Espanyol don't get the win, they will mathematically be relegated to La Liga SmartBank for the first time in 27 years. Meanwhile, if Barcelona fails to win, Real Madrid will have the opportunity to extend their four-point lead by beating Alaves at home.

For the Catalan derby, Quique Setien cannot rely on Junior Firpo, Samuel Umtiti, Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele.

Against Villarreal, he used a diamond formation with Lionel Messi in a free role behind Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez. This scheme has produced positive results in the field.

However, he made it clear that this is not a suitable system against a team that defends more and piles up its players at the back for most of the game.

However, Setien is not expected to make many changes to the team as Barcelona need three points against Espanyol. The opportunity is quite big considering that Espanyol haven't won at the Camp Nou in La Liga since February 21, 2009, when the match ended 2-1 for the visitors.

However, Barcelona have not forgotten the brace that Raul Tamudo scored in the derby in 2006/07 which gave Real Madrid the La Liga title.

Espanyol realized, the chance of victory was not in their favor. Los Periquitos need 11 points to escape the red zone, while the competition has only four games left.

Their last match against Leganes after Rufete replaced Abelardo as coach, was the worst performance this team has produced in years.

Espanyol will now try to play in a dignified manner. They are trying not to make this season's final result the worst season in the club's history.

Currently, the Rufete squad has only collected five wins and nine draws. Their worst season occurred in 1968/69 with only eight wins and eight draws.

From the player side, Jonathan Calleri is certain to be absent due to suspension. However, other players are expected to be available in this derby.

Jornada 35 La Liga will take place tonight, 22.00 Spanish time. At the first meeting, the two teams played equally strong 2-2.