The Most-Played Derby in La Liga History | FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol | Roots of the Rivalry

Summary

The Barcelona Derby between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona is one of the most intense rivalries in Spanish football. Despite Barcelona’s dominance on the field, Espanyol has played a crucial role in the sport’s early days. The rivalry is shaped by deep cultural, political, and historical divides, with Espanyol traditionally viewed as loyal to the Spanish monarchy, while Barcelona represents Catalan pride and resistance to central authority. From early encounters in La Liga to dramatic moments like Raul Tamudo's late goal in 2007, this rivalry continues to captivate fans, intertwining sport with politics and local identity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Barcelona derby between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona has been contested more times than any other in La Liga, though Barcelona has historically dominated both in terms of head-to-head matches and silverware.
• 😀 RCD Espanyol was founded in 1900 by a group of Spanish students, with a focus on representing Spanish players, which was rare at the time. The club’s original colors were yellow, before changing to the iconic blue and white in 1910.
• 😀 FC Barcelona was founded by Swiss expat Joan Gamper in 1899, with the club’s initial badge reflecting the city's emblem. Their first kits were claret and blue, allegedly influenced by the rugby team from Merseyside or their connections to FC Basel.
• 😀 Both Espanyol and Barcelona were founding members of La Liga in 1929, but Barcelona won the first La Liga title while Espanyol scored the first-ever goal in the league’s history.
• 😀 Despite Barcelona's dominance in overall achievements, Espanyol has enjoyed notable moments of success, such as winning the Copa del Rey in 1929, defeating Barcelona 4-1 in a match during the same season.
• 😀 The rivalry between Espanyol and Barcelona is not just about football, but also rooted in cultural and political divisions, with Espanyol often seen as more aligned with the Spanish monarchy and government.
• 😀 Espanyol was granted the title 'Real' by King Alfonso XIII in 1912, further distancing them from the more Catalan-nationalist FC Barcelona, which became a symbol of Catalan pride and opposition to Spanish authority, especially during Franco's regime.
• 😀 The rivalry intensified during the Spanish Civil War and beyond, with Barcelona supporters supporting Catalan autonomy, while Espanyol fans were allegedly seen as more loyal to the Spanish monarchy and central government.
• 😀 In the 2006-2007 season, Espanyol denied Barcelona a league title in a dramatic final-day match, with Espanyol scoring in the 89th minute to contribute to Real Madrid winning the title.
• 😀 While the political and cultural tensions have somewhat faded over time, the historical narrative of Espanyol as a club that aligned with the Spanish state still lingers, contributing to the division between the two clubs' supporters.
• 😀 The 2018-2019 La Liga season marked another meeting of the two clubs, with Barcelona looking to extend their unbeaten run against Espanyol in the league to a full decade.

Q & A

What makes the Barcelona derby between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona unique?

The Barcelona derby is unique due to the deep cultural, political, and historical rivalry between the two clubs. While Barcelona has been far more successful in sporting terms, the rivalry is heightened by Espanyol's historical ties to the Spanish monarchy and Barcelona's representation of Catalan pride and independence.

Why is Espanyol considered a symbol of compliance with the Spanish monarchy?

Espanyol was granted the 'real' title by King Alfonso XIII in 1912, which aligned the club with the Spanish monarchy. This association led to Espanyol being viewed as more compliant to the central Spanish government, contrasting with Barcelona's growing role as a symbol of resistance and Catalan independence.

How did FC Barcelona's international origins differ from Espanyol's local foundation?

FC Barcelona was founded by a group of international expats, including Swiss, German, and English members, which gave it a cosmopolitan identity. In contrast, Espanyol was founded by Spanish students and was initially made up entirely of Spanish players, emphasizing local roots.

What significant event occurred during the 1929 La Liga season for both Barcelona and Espanyol?

During the 1929 La Liga season, FC Barcelona became the first ever champions of La Liga, while Espanyol made history by scoring the first goal in the league's history, cementing their place in Spanish football's early milestones.

How did Espanyol achieve their first Copa del Rey victory?

Espanyol won their first Copa del Rey in 1929 after defeating Real Madrid in the final, a match later known as 'La Final del Agua' due to heavy flooding on the pitch. Despite being heavy underdogs, Espanyol triumphed 2-1, with goals from Francisco Tena and Croissant Bosch.

How did the Franco era impact the rivalry between Barcelona and Espanyol?

During the Franco era, Barcelona became a symbol of Catalan resistance and pride, while Espanyol was seen by some as more compliant with the Spanish government. This period intensified the rivalry, with Barcelona's fans viewing Espanyol as supporting the regime, adding a political layer to the rivalry.

What is the significance of the 'Tama dazzle' in the history of the Barcelona derby?

The 'Tama dazzle' refers to a crucial goal scored by Espanyol's Raul Tamudo in the 2006-2007 season, which prevented Barcelona from winning the league title. The goal was scored in the dying minutes of the match, giving Real Madrid the advantage to win the title, making it one of the most memorable moments in the derby.

Why was Espanyol's 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the 1929 Copa del Rey significant?

The 1-1 draw in the Copa del Rey semifinal was significant because it allowed Espanyol to advance to the final, where they would go on to win their first Copa del Rey title. Despite Barcelona's dominant form, Espanyol managed to secure a place in the final by holding them to a draw.

How did Espanyol and Barcelona differ in their roles during the Spanish Civil War?

During the Spanish Civil War, Barcelona supporters were aligned with Catalan nationalist forces, while a prominent Espanyol supporters group allegedly joined the fascist Volanges, supporting the Spanish government. This difference in political alignment further fueled the rivalry between the two clubs.

How did the founding of Espanyol reflect the social and cultural environment in early 20th-century Spain?

Espanyol was founded by Spanish students in 1900, emphasizing a team made up of local Spanish players. This contrasted with the more cosmopolitan Barcelona, founded by international expats. Espanyol’s early alignment with Spanish nationalism and the monarchy reflected the conservative nature of the time in Spain.