Easily the most important regular fixture in the city of Barcelona’s sporting calendar, La Liga’s Barcelona derby brings together Barcelona and Espanyol in a game that features huge local pride while showcasing the iconic city to the world.
The rivalry between the two clubs dates right back to the beginnings of organised football in the city, three decades before the establishment of La Liga. There have also been derbies played through the years in the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, Copa Catalonia and the now-defunct Fairs Cup. While 26-time La Liga winners Barcelona have often come out on top, Espanyol are always eager to upset their historically more successful neighbours.