In a tightly contested Catalan derby, Barcelona edged out Espanyol 2-0, with late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski securing the victory for the Blaugrana. However, the hero of the night was undoubtedly Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who put in a stellar performance against his former club at the RCDE Stadium.
Garcia, who moved from Espanyol to Barcelona last summer, faced a hostile reception from the home crowd but silenced his critics with a string of incredible saves. He made a total of six saves, including a crucial intervention to deny Roberto Fernandez from scoring into an empty net, earning him the Man of the Match award.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was full of praise for Garcia, acknowledging his "unbelievable" performance. "Rayo created a lot of chances in the second half, but we have a great goalkeeper," Flick said, reflecting on Garcia's crucial role in securing the win. Flick's appreciation for Garcia isn't new, as he has previously highlighted the goalkeeper's "intense" approach and lauded his passing qualities during training sessions.
The match itself was a difficult affair for Barcelona, who struggled to break down a well-organized Espanyol defense. Espanyol had several opportunities to take the lead, but Garcia's heroics kept Barcelona in the game. Barcelona's breakthrough finally came in the 86th minute when Fermin Lopez played in Dani Olmo, who curled a wonderful effort into the top corner. Lewandowski then sealed the victory in the 90th minute, converting from close range after another excellent run from Fermin Lopez.
With this victory, Barcelona extended their winning streak to nine La Liga matches and now sit seven points clear at the top of the standings, pending Real Madrid's match against Real Betis. However, Flick acknowledged that his side's performance was not up to par, particularly in the first half, and that there is still room for improvement.
Looking ahead, Barcelona are hoping to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, with a defender being a priority. They are reportedly interested in bringing in Joao Cancelo from Al Hilal, but his high salary could prove to be a stumbling block. The club is also monitoring the situation of Mika Marmol, who could potentially generate funds through a sell-on clause if he leaves Las Palmas. Meanwhile, Barcelona are enjoying the return to the Spotify Camp Nou, which is expected to generate significant revenue for the club upon its full completion in 2027.
