The most recent games between Espanyol and Barcelona have been surrounded by controversy, and even if Barcelona gets to this game with a three-goal lead, Los Periquitos will try to shock Los Blaugranas for the first time since 2009.
Both teams will try to put up a good show for those in attendance, even if Barcelona enters this game with a commanding lead after the first leg. This will be the first competitive match for Lionel Messi after winning his fifth Ballon D'Or, so it will be interesting to watch how he performs on the pitch.
Espanyol's coach Constantin Galca revealed prior to the game that there will be a number of changes from the squad that lost last week's game against Los Culés, excluding striker Felipe Caicedo, who recovered just in time to play the game.
"We know it's going to be complicated, but we're going to try. The first leg of this series was full of tension between both sides, and we have to use that intensity to get a better result. I've always told my players that this is just a game, we just hope that all that tension doesn't escalate and develop into something else," Galca stated.
On the other side of the pitch, Luis Enrique will try to show why he was named as the 2015 Coach of the year. The Blaugrana manager will have to put up a competitive squad without a couple of players that were involved in last week's incidents: Luis Suárez, who will have to sit out this game due to a two-game ban, and Gerard Piqué, who's inflamatory comments may grant him a day off on Wednesday.
"Tomorrow, we won't protect our lead. We will try to go out there and win, but our opponents need to attack. Regardless of the first leg's score, we need to keep our focus on getting the victory in order to facilitate our presence in the next round of the tournament," Luis Enrique said.
Fully aware of the tension between both teams, Luis Enrique and Constantin Galca shared a moment on Espanyol's stadium in order to send a message of peace for their supporters. Galca even congratulated the Spanish boss for winning the 2015 Coach of the Year award.
Head to head
Espanyol has only been able to defeat Barcelona in one of their last eighteen games in all competitions. Los Periquitos have managed to draw only one of their previous six meetings against Los Culés, and their chances of shocking the current Copa del Rey champions seem rather slim. To make matters worse, Espanyol has not won a single competitive game against Barcelona at Cornellá El Prat Stadium since it opened its gates back in August of 2009.
Where to watch Espanyol vs FC Barcelona on TV or online?
- In Spain, fans will be able to follow the outcome of this match via Movistar TV Fútbol, Abono Futbol, Abono Futbol 1 and Canal+ Partidazo at 21:00 CET.
- In the U.K., LaLigaTVCOPA will be in charge of broadcasting this game at 20:00 GMT.
- Fans in the U.S. can follow the game via beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports en Español, fuboTV at 15:00 EST.
- Canadian fans will be able to watch the Catalan derby via beIN Sports en Español, beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada and beIN Sports Canada at 15:00 EST.
Live elsewhere? Take a look at LiveSoccerTV.com's Espanyol vs Barcelona match page for detailed info to watch this game wherever you live.
*Please keep in mind that all live games & TV listings are subject to change.
Team sheets for Espanyol vs Barcelona
Espanyol's XI: Bardi, Correa, Ciani, Álvaro, Duarte, Correa, Abraham, Salva, Burgui, Asensio, Caicedo.
Barcelona's XI: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Mathieu; S. Roberto, Arda, Rakitic; Vidal, Messi, Munir
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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