When I went to Barcelona on a visit, I had to go and check out their ground, and I was eager to find out more about them. In Manchester, both City and United have a presence, though United do appeal to the visitors, and the *day-tripper*, there is no doubt in that, but at least City souvenirs, directions to the ground, and information on the club is easily available in the city.

When I was in Barcelona, it was strange, because it was as though Espanyol didn’t exist. Taxi drivers, people in bars, people in the hotel, none of whom would talk about Espanyol. Had I not been to Montjuic myself, having found my own way there, I would have started to doubt their very existence.

Why I like Espanyol though is that they quietly go about being the true Catalan club, with more catalan players, and understated, but proud catalan routes, while FCB stand on every hilltop, trying to push forward a catalan cause in the form of a global product.

Espanyol dont want to rule the world. They would like to be recognised when they do well, and who doesn’t, but if not, that’s fine too, because they are happy enough within themselves. When they do actually do well, it is against all the odds, and they accept they probably never will be anywhere near as successful or mighty as their neighbours, who are quick to dismiss them…when forced to acknowledge their existence. But this is fine too.

A lot of this I can relate to, as a City fan, and I for one hope Espanyol will always retain their sense of being a true and proper football club, a hidden gem, and yet occasionally step out of their neighbours shadow once in a while, to remind them how it should be done.