Barcelona could secure the La Liga title this weekend, but their local rivals Espanyol will not make it easy for them.
The two teams from Catalonia clash at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium on May 14, and a Barcelona victory would crown them as champions for the first time in two years.
Xavi’s side are close to winning the league, and they have plans for a parade in the city the next day, if they beat their neighbours who are fighting to avoid relegation.
A win would guarantee the title, but Barcelona could also be champions before the game starts, if Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid drop points in their own matches. However, despite the expectations of a big night for Barcelona, Espanyol captain Sergi Darder has said that his team will give everything to spoil their party and to stay in the league.
“We have more motivation than anyone”, he said, according to Diario AS.
“I don’t mind if I go ‘too far’ in this kind of game.
“We have to keep our composure and finish with 11 players on the field, but we cannot leave anything behind in the locker room.
“This is more than a final for us!
“I want the team to go out and give their all, knowing that this is not just a celebration.
“We need three points not only to stop Barca from winning the league but to save ourselves, we don’t like to see things celebrated in front of us.”
Espanyol’s chances of staying up are slim, and they could fall further behind if they lose to Barcelona, with a three-point gap to safety and five games left.
