After the winter break, Barcelona secured a victory against Espanyol with a score of 2-0 in the Catalan derby. Despite a shaky first half with little creativity, the team flourished post-interval, with goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski solidifying their win. Joan Garcia, the starting goalkeeper who previously played for Espanyol, faced hostile crowds from his former fans. However, he performed admirably, making six saves and achieving a clean sheet.

The derby marked the 220th encounter between the two teams, where history favors Barcelona with 129 victories. Espanyol, aiming for a Champions League spot, provided a tough challenge. With their recent success, Barcelona now leads La Liga with an impressive seven-point gap, capitalizing on Real Madrid’s recent struggles.

Next, Barcelona will aim for silverware as they face Athletic Club in the Supercopa de España semifinal on January 7.