Barcelona’s city derby is under special circumstances on Sunday (9 p.m.). Should FC Barcelona win away against Espanyol, the “Blaugrana” would no longer be able to take the Spanish championship title. With five rounds to go, the leaders are 11 points ahead of defending champions Real Madrid and 13 points ahead of Atletico Madrid. For Espanyol it is about staying up, the table penultimate is three points away from the saving 17th place.
Barca are aiming for their 27th league title, both their first in four years and the first in coach Xavi’s tenure. With the former world champion and European champion, who has been in office since November 2021, the Catalans have only won the Spanish Supercup 2023 so far.
In the Champions League this season, the end came after the group stage, after which they failed in the Europa League play-off at Manchester United. In the Copa del Rey, archrival Real Madrid was too high a hurdle in the semifinals. In La Liga, however, Barca presented themselves confidently. Of the 33 games played so far, only three have been lost and only eleven goals have been conceded.
