Joan Garcia has debuted with the Spanish national team and has been at the stadium that until last June was his home, the RCDE Stadium. The Spanish men's national team has returned to Catalonia four years later in a friendly against Egypt (0-0). One of the great attractions of the match was knowing whether the blue and red goalkeeper would debut with the senior national team. The Sallent-born player was dropped from the squad last Friday in Vila-real, but came on in the 62nd minute in Cornellà-El Prat with more applause than whistles – despite being booed by some fans during the warm-up due to his past with Espanyol–. Luis de la Fuente was also booed after not calling up Joan Garcia when he was with the white and blue team. If he had been called up before signing for Barça, his release clause would have increased by five million more, up to thirty.

After Manolo González's dressing-down on Thursday, Espanyol bounced back in La Liga with a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano, displaying a stark contrast to their Copa del Rey elimination against Atlético Baleares. The Blanquiazules rediscovered the intensity, energy, and courage that have characterized their performance this season and continue their European dream. A penalty from Roberto puts Manolo's team in fifth place, just four points off the Champions League spots. However, they have a game in hand over fourth-placed Atlético de Madrid.

Of La Riera, only the name of the neighborhood remains. Roberto, 78, was born here in Cornellà de Llobregat, and remembers how his summers were spent bathing in the river and stealing fruit and vegetables from the crops that followed the water. "Everything has changed a lot," he admits. Little remains of those summers: first, the stream and the orchards were surrounded by industrial warehouses, and then buried by the concrete that built the Espanyol stadium and the Splau shopping center. "The change has been for the better," he comments. He states that before, there were more drugs and more crime, and that with this redevelopment, the neighborhood has risen in level, as have the rents.

Cornellà-El Prat will be dressed to the nines to host its first relegation final. In its brief history of almost sixteen years, it has hosted one European qualification, two relegations, and two promotions, but until now, it hasn't had the opportunity to host the final of a La Liga match in which Espanyol is playing for its life on the final day. The Blue and Whites, who need to match or better the result Leganés gets against Valladolid against Las Palmas, are looking for heroes for another heart-stopping afternoon of transistor radios.

Espanyol will be playing for all or nothing on the final matchday. After accumulating five consecutive defeats, the latest of which was at El Sadar, the Blue and Whites will need to match or better the result obtained by Leganés against Valladolid in the visit of the also relegated Las Palmas to the RCDE Stadium this Saturday (6:30 p.m., 3Cat). A priori, a favorable scenario, although managing anxiety will be key. A head-to-head match in which the fight for survival will be decided. A final in which Espanyol will be playing for a large part of its immediate and medium-term future.

When this year's LaLiga schedule was released, Espanyol fans were somewhat wary of the fact that the second of this year's derbies was scheduled with just three rounds remaining. This meant it could be a key match in the fight for survival. Some Barça fans, meanwhile, dreamed of the possibility of winning the title again at their city rivals' ground, as happened in 2023.

Espanyol will have to wait at least a week to celebrate their survival. The Blue and Whites came away empty-handed after seeing two moments of individual brilliance help Betis turn things around in the final five minutes, a match they had come close to winning (1-2). A bitter defeat, but a fair one, considering the high number of chances enjoyed by the Andalusians, who did everything possible to subdue an overly conservative Espanyol. It is their first defeat at the RCDE Stadium since late October, when they fell to Sevilla. Relegation remains seven points away with twelve points left to play for.

The first gift Ramon Terrats (Barcelona, ​​​​2000) received at birth was an Espanyol membership card. He was only a few hours old when his uncle, José Luis, made him a season ticket holder. Twenty-four years later, the Barcelona native, Espanyol member number 6,031, is one of the main arguments for José Bordalás' Getafe, who are closer to the European places, just four points, than to relegation, ten. The Madrid team, almost saved, will visit an RCDE Stadium that wants to prolong the sweet hangover of an Espanyol who, after winning in Vallecas and Balaídos, wants to put their survival on track this Friday (9 p.m., DAZN).

Javi Puado has gone from being a good complement to the scoring strikers to Espanyol's most decisive attacking player. The Catalan striker, who is two months away from the end of his contract has not yet decided his future, has taken a step forward this season. Without a Batman to complement him, this year it's the eternal Robin who is assuming the offensive leadership of a team in which, since his debut, he has never been the star or the top scorer.

Espanyol will need to raise its voice more to gain the respect of the referees. Just days after its CEO, Mao Ye, accepted the explanations from the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) on the controversial refereeing suffered in Son Moix, The blue and whites saw new refereeing errors take their toll against an Atlético de Madrid (1-1) that is moving further away from the fight for the title. One déjà vu, if we take into account that on the Madrid team's last visit to the RCDE Stadium, a ghost goal by Antoine Griezmann was validated without the VAR having any image that demonstrated that the ball had completely crossed the goal line.

A goal from Stuani from the penalty spot, in Panenka style, left a resilient Espanyol with a span of their noses. The white and blues came close to winning their first game against the Girona team at Cornellà-El Prat, but the Uruguayan's goal forced them to accept a draw (1-1) that does not solve the problems of either team. The white and blues end the matchday two points above the relegation zone, while the Girona team extends their winless streak to five games.

Espanyol lose their fear of lions. The blue and whites earned a point against Athletic Club (1-1) in a match in which they took the lead thanks to a rogue goal from Roberto Fernández who neutralised Sancet in the final stretch. Cornellà-El Prat was once again a fortress to dry up one of the teams in the best form of the League and sign a draw that keeps Manolo González's team out of the relegation zone for another week, one point behind Valencia.