Barcelona begin the new year with one of the most emotionally charged fixtures in Spanish football, a Catalan derby away from home against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium.
These matches are rarely calm, often tense, and almost always loud. Hostility is expected, emotions run high, and every detail is amplified under the derby spotlight.
This particular meeting carries an extra edge due to the return of Joan Garcia, who is set to start between the posts wearing Barcelona colours.
Over the years, the Catalan derby has been a stage for confrontation, provocation and controversy.
Yet, despite the fierce rivalry, there have also been moments of genuine respect and dignity.
Some Barcelona players have left Espanyol’s stadium not with jeers ringing in their ears, but with applause.
On the other hand, some have left with a bad taste and today, we look at some unforgettable moments from Barcelona’s perspective
Iniesta and a moment that transcended rivalry
14 years ago, Andrés Iniesta scored in the 116th minute to win the World Cup.
He celebrated by showing a message to friend and Espanyol captain Dani Jarque who died at 26: 'Dani Jarque, always with us'
He’s still loved by Espanyol supporters even though Barça are their biggest… pic.twitter.com/4ZSrWJNDWR
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 11, 2024
One of the most powerful examples of respect in this derby involves Andres Iniesta.
Espanyol supporters never forgot the gesture Iniesta made at the 2010 World Cup, a moment that went far beyond club colours.
After scoring the goal that gave Spain their first World Cup title, Iniesta lifted his shirt to reveal a message honouring his late friend and Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, who had tragically passed away months earlier.
That gesture stayed with Espanyol fans.
When Barcelona travelled to the RCDE Stadium on December 18, 2010, and cruised to a dominant 5-1 win, the stadium rose to applaud Iniesta, acknowledging both the man and the gesture he had made months earlier.
Gerard Pique and a rivalry at the boiling point
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— oscar (@futbolconfi) January 2, 2026
If Iniesta symbolised respect, Gerard Pique represented the other extreme of this derby.
Few Barcelona players have been targeted as relentlessly by Espanyol supporters as Pique.
The tension reached a peak during the explosive run of derbies at the start of 2016 across La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Insults were aimed not just at Pique, but also at his family, with banners and chants crossing clear lines of respect.
Two years later, Pique found himself at the same end of the stadium when he scored a crucial equaliser in a cup derby.
His reaction, putting a finger to his lips to silence the crowd, triggered chaos both on and off the pitch. The atmosphere turned toxic, leading to heated scenes in the tunnel.
Speaking afterwards, and giving context to his actions, Pique addressed the situation directly.
He said, “Insulting my family is disrespectful. Telling people to be quiet is part of the game. It’s the least I could do after everything that’s happened.”
League titles won on hostile ground
Fate has been particularly kind to Barcelona’s recent visits to the RCDE Stadium.
Barcelona won their last La Liga title on Espanyol’s ground. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Their last two La Liga titles were both secured following wins at Espanyol’s home ground.
In the 2022/23 season, Xavi Hernandez led Barcelona to a 4-2 victory that mathematically sealed the league.
The players attempted to celebrate on the pitch, forming a circle at the centre spot.
However, the celebrations were abruptly cut short when several hundred fans invaded the pitch, forcing Barcelona’s players to sprint to the dressing rooms.
The following season, the derby was overshadowed by an even more serious incident.
Hours before kick-off, a woman drove her vehicle into a group of Espanyol supporters near the stadium. The match went ahead after delays, and Barcelona emerged with a 2-0 win.
This time, new coach Hansi Flick made sure there would be no repeat of past scenes. He insisted celebrations remain inside the dressing room.
When a few Barcelona players briefly embraced on the pitch and the sprinklers were switched on, Flick reacted instantly, ushering his squad off the field with visible frustration and firm gestures.