Matches between Espanyol and Barcelona rarely lack intensity, but this Catalan derby arrives with added noise away from the pitch. In the build-up to the game, discussions have increasingly centred on refereeing, crowd behaviour and the potential fallout from any controversial moment.
The appointment of a local referee has only heightened scrutiny, placing every decision under the microscope before the match has even begun. In fixtures of this magnitude, such circumstances often risk overshadowing the football itself.
Within Espanyol, there is a clear sense that emotion is unavoidable in a derby, but that it must remain controlled. Passion, rivalry and pressure are part of the occasion, yet crossing the line would only damage the club and its supporters.
There is also a feeling that Espanyol are frequently judged more harshly, with external narratives ready to emerge at the first sign of trouble. For that reason, the message is to remain composed, avoid unnecessary reactions and let the game speak for itself.
Despite the surrounding tension, the hope remains that the derby will ultimately be remembered for what happens on the pitch, rather than for controversies off it.
