Players returning from the World Cup, a reunion and a tactical duel between two brilliant coaches are among the highlights of the Catalan derby taking place on December 31st.
FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol will close the year by meeting at the Spotify Camp Nou in one of the most important matches of the season for the fanbases of the two Barcelona clubs. The match is also the first LaLiga Santander fixture for both sides following the break for the World Cup, so we’ll see how this period without competition affected them and how the players who were at the World Cup look. It promises to be a rivalry match for which both teams will be fully motivated, while there are several other reasons to pay special attention to this duel.
The first meeting of two young coaches with character
The duel in the dugouts will be between two coaches with a lot of character and a well-defined idea of how to play. With both teams immersed in tight battles in the standings, this will make the match and the tactical duel even more interesting. In their return to LaLiga Santander, the league leaders will look to stay top when facing a tough team that are on the edge of the relegation zone and in need of points. Xavi Hernández and Diego Martínez, who have never faced off before, are already two of the most recognisable faces in the dugouts of the top division even though they’re both so young, proving that LaLiga Santander and Spanish football have plenty of present and future coaching quality.
A chance for the likes of Pedri, Gavi and Ansu to bounce back
The World Cup left the Spanish national team frustrated after an unexpected elimination in the round of 16. Many of the players from the Spain team that fell to Morocco are part of the FC Barcelona squad, so they’ll be looking to bounce back in their first match back with Xavi Hernández. Players such as Pedri and Gavi, who were starters for Spain, as well as those who had less playing time, such as Ansu Fati, will be keen to impress over this next stretch of the season.
Braithwaite’s return to the Spotify Camp Nou
Another player who was at the World Cup, in his case with Denmark, was Martin Braithwaite and this match will provide a reunion with his former fanbase. The Danish striker played 58 games for the Azulgrana and scored 10 goals. Now, as an RCD Espanyol player and an opponent, he’ll be a danger for his former teammates, such as the German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, since he is one of the key men in Diego Martínez’s squad.
Braithwaite’s return to the Spotify Camp Nou
Another player who was at the World Cup, in his case with Denmark, was Martin Braithwaite and this match will provide a reunion with his former fanbase. The Danish striker played 58 games for the Azulgrana and scored 10 goals. Now, as an RCD Espanyol player and an opponent, he’ll be a danger for his former teammates, such as the German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, since he is one of the key men in Diego Martínez’s squad.
The return of two World Cup finalists
Ousmane Dembélé and Jules Koundé played for France in the World Cup final against Argentina, but didn’t lift the trophy as their team ultimately fell just short on penalties. They haven’t had much time to lament that defeat, as they’ll be back under Xavi’s orders and looking to play at their best level, like they had been doing during the first stetch of the season.
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