Two Madrid men dreaming of a Tamudazo
Barcelona's match against Espanyol on Sunday is surrounded by tension. The calm attitude to recent weeks will go out the window when the Pericos, who are still not safe from relegation, come to Camp Nou, with the 'Tamudazo' being dragged back out as Barça fight for the title.
There's been plenty of rivalry between the two Barcelona-based clubs this season after the three heated meetings in January - two in the Copa del Rey (4-1 and 0-2) and one in La Liga (0-0). And, more importantly, there is still a lot in play. Barça have to win to keep themselves at the top of the table, while Espanyol aren't mathematically safe.
Rivalry is football's motor. It's what makes a match a clasico, a derby. And for this match between Barcelona and Espanyol there are plenty of incentives on both sides. For example, the on loan Madrid players Marco Asensio and Burgui would be delighted to repeat the 'Tamudazo': achieve a result which not only guarantees Espanyol's top flight status, but also leaves Barça without their desired league title.
On June 9, 2007, Raul Tamudo scored two goals in the Catalan derby at Camp Nou during the 37th round of fixtures. With these two strikes, Tamudo beat Rafa Maranon's record to become Espanyol's top scorer, but, above all, he stripped the title from Barça and handed it to Madrid. It was a result which left the Pericos feeling as if they themselves had won the title.
ADAN, NO COMPLICATIONS
Real Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan had no problem admitting he wanted to "mess up" Barça's title hopes and give Madrid a hand in the title race. Things went in reverse for Adan, though, who ended up making a mistake in the build up to Ivan Rakitic's opening goal at the weekend.
Adan, born in Madrid and a Madridista (he played for the club between 2004 and 2013) was happy to confess his desires. Desires which won't be much different to Marco Asensio's, the talented forward on loan at Cornella-El Prat, and especially Jorge Franco Alvix, 'Burgui', who has also been borrowed from the Bernabeu.
One of the songs heard coming from the Espanyol dressing room after their win against Sevilla was dedicated to Gerard Pique, Barça's defender. Pique has had various confrontations with Espanyol through his career and especially this season. And he is a player Burgui has said "leaves a lot to be desired as a person."
Pique and his partner Shakira were the object of various banners and insulting chants during the derby games at Cornella in January, to the point that Espanyol had to pay a fine. The fall out from those problems will be present in this weekend's derby and will add to Constantin Galca's side's yearning to win. A factor that favours Atletico and Real, who need one more Barça slip up to get their hands on the La Liga trophy.
