MADRID, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona and goalkeeper Joan Garcia can expect a difficult afternoon when they travel to play local rivals Espanyol in the Barcelona city derby on Saturday.
Barcelona is always given a hostile reception in Espanyol's stadium and this season promises to be more heated than ever for two reasons.
The first of those is that Espanyol is in its best form in years and will welcome Barcelona sitting fifth in the classification after five consecutive wins, giving home fans hope they get one over on the La Liga leaders.
The second reason is Barcelona signing Garcia over the summer by paying the goalkeeper's 25-million-euro release clause to take him to play in the Camp Nou.
Although Marko Dmitrovic has impressed since joining from Leganes, Garcia can expect a hostile reception from fans who view his move across town as a betrayal and Espanyol has even hung nets behind both goals to stop objects being thrown at the goalkeeper.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he was optimistic the nets would not be needed.
"I am very positive person, we have to live together (in the city) and we have respect each other, which is the most important thing in football," he commented in his pre-game press conference in which he had a message for both sets of supporters.
"The most important in football is to support your team, not to go against the other team, that's best for everyone. We have to give positive energy and concentrate on your team, not the other," added Flick. ■
