Espanyol 0-4 Barcelona: 3 reasons why Barca won the Catalan derby | LaLiga 2018-19

Possessing high energy pressing and fierce rivalry as its hallmarks, the Catalan derby has never failed to enthrall football fans over the years.

FC Barcelona emerged as the comfortable winners against their arch-rivals Espanyol on Saturday evening. However, the home side must be given credit for their efforts, and their fan support, even after the visitors killed the game well before half time.

As soon as the game started, La Blaugrana looked in perfect shape and control, while their rivals looked determined to press and break the possession. However, Lionel Messi scored a direct free kick past Diego Lopez to the near post's top corner.

Dembele then doubled the lead with a right footed curler after his typical fake shot, even before the home side could respond to the goal. Just before half time, Luis Suarez made it three from a tight finish.

The Barcelona captain netted another free-kick to wind it up for the team, and just when Espanyol seemed to have gained a consolation goal, VAR denied it to make it worse.

Lets now look at three reasons why barca won it so easily.

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#3 Form

Barca started their strongest line-up with only Coutinho benched

Coming off a fine mid-week win over Cultural Leonesa in Copa del Rey, Barca started their strongest line-up with only Coutinho benched. In contrast, their opponents came in very poor form after losing three consecutive league matches, finding themselves in a deep slump.

Looking at the players individually, Barca's fine squad rotation made sure that every player could find themselves in very fine rhythm.

However, Espanyol had none of its players at their best before the match, which caused them to find no individual spark during the game. In spite of starting with some determination in pressing during the first half, the form seemed to have taken a toll on the losing side.

#2 Fine finishing from Barcelona

The forwards must be lauded for their efforts

Right from the start of the match, the defending league champions looked sharp and disciplined. Although players were caught occasionally in the mid-field, the team was attentive enough to win the ball back immediately.

Right from Marc Ander Ter Stegen to Luis Suarez, everybody looked deeply concentrated in the match. But it was the forwards who were on song yesterday. For the meagre number of saves Ter Stegen made, and the ease with which midfielders were allowed to roam around the park, the forwards must be lauded for their efforts.

Coming off from quite an unpleasant weekend after getting snubbed from the top three in the Ballon d'Or, and the great Pele claiming himself apparently better than Lionel Messi, the Argentine talisman looked very determined.

He slotted two splendid free-kicks to different top corners, with the second leaving Diego Lopez awestruck, and setting up one for Dembele. The French man on the other hand looked flamboyant as always on the right flank, scoring and making one. Luis Suarez also made known his presence with yet another tight finish.

#1 Lack of creativity from Espanyol

While Espanyol at least tried to stop barca by pressing, they never looked to create

It was not so surprising to see Barcelona with plenty of chances, as they have a lot of playmakers to create things. So when you confront this, you either stop them from doing that, or do the same.

Barca cannot be stopped from finding gaps, and the opposition must be prepared enough to create as much as they can. While Espanyol at least tried to stop barca by pressing, they never looked to create.

Even after having some genuine possession spells, the players moved the ball sideways and backwards only, forcing them to look for opportunities through crosses and set pieces. With Gerrard Pique and Clement Lenglet in that form, the team could afford only one set piece goal, which was eventually nullified by VAR.

All these demanded the white and blue striped men find gaps and play some crisp football to find the net. Failing to even attempt such plays, the scene looked like the case of lack of preparation.