Man, this matchup is intense because it's about way more than just football. Espanyol vs Barcelona isn't just any game—it's the city rivalry, and both sets of fans take it super seriously. I've seen Espanyol supporters bring extra noise to these games just to show they can stand up to the bigger club in town. Barcelona's fans show up too, trying to prove their team is the king of the city and the league. It gets emotional—like, bragging rights for the whole year, not just three points.

And both clubs just have different vibes. Barca's about big stars and winning trophies, while RCD Espanyol is kind of that underdog that never gives up. I remember last year when Espanyol managed a draw; their fans celebrated like crazy. The media hypes it up too, so everybody's watching. For players, scoring in this game is a career highlight. For fans, it's about pride and tradition. That's why it's always so intense, no matter who’s on top in the league.