Espanyol vs Barcelona preview - No fear for Espanyol ahead of derby

Posted Friday, April 24, 2015 by PA

Espanyol "have no fear" of facing Barcelona's in-form hitmen and a dreadful derby record in Saturday's Primera Division clash, according to Kiko Casilla.

Goalkeeper Casilla insists Espanyol will chase victory at the Power 8 Stadium to boost chances of a seventh-place finish, despite hosting arguably Europe's form team.

League leaders Barca boast a 12-match unbeaten streak against their city rivals, with Espanyol victorious just four times in the last 46 derby meetings.

Lionel Messi hit a hat-trick in Barcelona's 5-1 Nou Camp victory in December, while the Argentina star, Neymar and Luis Suarez have now struck a combined 95 goals this term.

All the signs point to another Barca triumph then, except in the eyes of Saturday's hosts.

"The derby is a different game from the rest," said Casilla on Espanyol's official website.

"To confront Messi, Suarez, Iniesta, Xavi, Neymar; it motivates you more.

"We have no fear. Of course we respect their talent; any of them can cause you problems.

"To beat Barcelona at home in front of our people would be the icing on the cake for our season.

"But we can only think about three more points that we need to help reach seventh place."

Veteran midfielder Xavi returned to training on Friday after sitting out Wednesday's session, adding another boost to Barcelona's star-studded squad.

Luis Enrique has registered the best 50-game start of any coach in Barcelona's history, further emphasising the size of Espanyol's task this weekend.

Neymar's brace ensured a 2-0 Champions League victory over Paris St Germain on Tuesday, Enrique's men coasting into the semi-finals 5-1 on aggregate.

Enrique's 42 wins, three draws and five losses has set a new club coaching record, with Barca claiming 143 goals and conceding just 31 in that run.

Pep Guardiola managed 37 wins in his first 50 matches at the club, but with Barca closing in on a host of silverware the man currently at the helm claims he has hardly got going.

Enrique will square up to Guardiola when Barcelona face Bayern Munich after the two clubs were paired in the Champions League semi-final draw.

"I hope that the best is still to come," said Enrique on Barcelona's official website.

"That is why the players have worked since the start of the season, to fight for titles."