With Real Madrid dropping points yet again in La Liga, Barcelona have some room to breathe in the competition. The relaxation could not have come at a better time.
Later today, the Catalans will take to the field for a derby clash against Espanyol , and while all efforts will be made to take the win, it is clear that the primary focus will be to rest key stars for the midweek clash against Atletico Madrid .
If the meeting between the two teams earlier this season is anything to go by, the game will be anything but straightforward. Hansi Flick, however, will back even his rotated side to get a decent result on the night.
In a recent interview ahead of the game against Barcelona, Espanyol star Leandro Cabrera was asked how it would feel if he were lucky enough to score the winning goal against Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou.
"It would be an amazing thing, and I hope it happens, but if it's not my goal, let it be another player's goal. Everything beneficial to the team is always welcome."
He was then asked to give his two cents about the refereeing situation and whether it bothered him ahead of the derby.
"We'll try to focus on ourselves. There are things beyond our control, and wasting energy on them isn't in our best interest."
"We have to accept that mistakes exist, whether from coaches, players, or referees. We don't waste our time on that. I wish good luck to the referee who will officiate the match,"he added.
The player was then asked about the mood in the dressing room ahead of the derby later today, to which he said,
"With great enthusiasm, we're very prepared and fully aware of what this victory means. We'll try to keep this banner, as we always do, in the highest possible position."
Leandro Cabrera ready for Barcelona challenge. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Barcelona enter the game in between their two games against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, and Cabrera was asked how that would impact the hosts' chances on the night.
"They have a very wide squad of players. As for our preparation for the match, what they did during the week doesn't affect us, and we don't care about that."
"Any player who participates knows what needs to be done. We know the type of match we're going to play and we'll face it as usual, trying to win,"he added.
The player then gave an outline on how he felt damage could be inflicted on Barcelona, given their style of play and recent vulnerabilities.
"By repeating the match we put on at our home ground, by being strong defensively, and trying to transition quickly."
"I think that's the key: organisation and mindset, with the realisation that they often impose their control. It's 90% mental, and the rest comes down to the team's quality,"he added.
Elaborating on the last time the two teams met, when Joan Garcia 's performance was all that helped Barcelona get away with three points, he said,
"Without a doubt. I think it was one of the best matches of the season, even though we didn't win. We showed that we're a team capable of competing with any opponent. We lacked precision in front of the goal."
"We know that repeating that match is very difficult because it was the best of the season, but we trust in our abilities. We have that regret, but even if we had won, we'd be entering now with the same seriousness and enthusiasm,"he added.
Finally, he was asked what the Espanyol crest meant to him on a personal level.
"As the seasons go by, you feel a greater sense of belonging to the fans. What was once just a beautiful match has now become much more important. I treat it as a big deal. I think this happens to everyone when they spend a long time at a club,"he concluded.
Source: MARCA
