Barcelona-Espanyol: The derby that should never have been played

A black ribbon on the scarves with a blue and garnet background and a gray sky threatening a storm welcomed the 48,843 fans who attended the Barcelona derby. It was the second highest turnout of the season and the highest recorded in a League match this season at Montjuïc. Nevertheless, there was hardly any revelry. The atmosphere dropped a few decibels. Before and during the match, an unprecedented situation in a Barça-Espanyol match and vice versa. The cold drop that devastated part of the Valencian Community was very present. In the stands. In the press box. It was inevitable to think that it wasn't the right time to be there.

They were reminded by the LaLiga messages that appeared every two minutes on the advertising panels surrounding the field. Remembering that the league, hand in hand with the Red Cross, has activated a hotline to raise funds through Bizum at number 02910. Among the fans, conversations could be heard. There were those who believed that this derby should not have been played. “But since we already had the tickets...,” some fans pointed out. There were notable absences in the VIP box this time. Neither the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, nor Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat, attended the match. When the storm looms, there are more important tasks than going to watch soccer.

The stadium markers displayed the helpline numbers that LaLiga has established with the Red Cross

Outside Montjuïc, the solidarity of the Curva, the Espanyol supporters group, exceeded their expectations. What started with the idea of renting a van with supplies to help the victims ended up with four trailers of aid for those affected. Overwhelmed by the wave of solidarity, the Curva had to ask people to stop coming to gate nine of the Cornellà stadium with provisions. Non-perishable food, water, milk, and essential sanitary products were collected. Today, the four trailers will head towards Valencia.

Today, four trailers with supplies organized by Espanyol fans will head to Valencia

On behalf of FC Barcelona, its foundation is working to support the affected population. To start, the club announced that it will auction off the jerseys of the players who took part in the derby to raise funds. “A list of various support lines has also been provided,” said announcer Bernat Gascón before the game as the stadium's scoreboards displayed all the information. In order to avoid overwhelming emergency channels and wanting to channel all the solidarity efforts of Barça supporters through its foundation, the club did not authorize the supporters' section to set up a collection point for supplies in the vicinity of Montjuïc.

There was a moment of silence before the ball started rolling, set to the melody of the Cant dels ocells (Song of the birds). Especially moved was RCD Espanyol player Carlos Romero, a native of Torrent. The other Valencian Barça player is injured. But yesterday, he didn't feel strong enough to go to the stadium. This player is Ferran Torres. “I don't have the strength to go see my teammates. Frustration and indignation with our leaders, be they from one side or the other. The State has failed,” lamented the player from Foios on his social media.

Unlike what happened in stadiums like Montilivi, the Metropolitano, or El Sadar, there were no supportive shirts. Later, Olmo and Puado did want to remind them with a message: “We shouldn't have played.”