Living in the shadow of a giant is exhausting. Ask any RCD Espanyol de Barcelona fan, and they’ll tell you it's a life of constant defiance. While tourists flock to the Camp Nou to buy overpriced jerseys, the Pericos—the Parrots—are tucked away in Cornellà-El Prat, nursing a century-old grudge and a sense of pride that honestly borders on the obsessive. It’s not just about football. It’s about identity.
Most people see the city of Barcelona and think of Blaugrana colors. They forget that RCD Espanyol de Barcelona was founded by locals, for locals. While FC Barcelona was started by a Swiss man (Joan Gamper) and a mix of foreigners, Espanyol was the "Spanish" club. That distinction still stings and shapes the rivalry today. It’s the "C" in RCD—Real—that hints at the royal patronage, a title granted by King Alfonso XIII back in 1912.
The RCDE Stadium and the Ghost of Sarrià
If you want to understand this club, you have to talk about Sarrià. It wasn't just a stadium; it was a cathedral of suffering and triumph. When the club was forced to sell it in 1997 due to crushing debts, a piece of the soul of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona died. Fans still talk about the 1982 World Cup matches held there, especially that legendary Italy vs. Brazil game. Losing Sarrià sent the club into a nomadic funk, playing at the cold, drafty Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc hill. It was miserable.
But then came 2009. The RCDE Stadium (Stage Front Stadium) opened. It’s a tight, intimidating "English-style" ground where the fans are practically on top of the pitch. It’s one of the most modern facilities in Europe, yet it carries a heavy heart. Gate 21 is the shrine. It’s dedicated to Dani Jarque, the captain who tragically passed away at just 26 years old during a pre-season camp in Italy. Every single game, in the 21st minute, the crowd erupts into a minute of applause. It’s haunting. It's beautiful. It tells you everything you need to know about the loyalty here.
Tamudo, Pochettino, and the "Tamudazo" That Ruined Everything
Let’s talk about Raúl Tamudo. He is, without a doubt, the greatest icon the club has ever produced. He didn't just score goals; he scored goals that ruined people's lives. Specifically, the "Tamudazo" in 2007.
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Picture this: The second-to-last game of the season. Barcelona needs a win against Espanyol to basically clinch the La Liga title. In the dying seconds, Tamudo slides one past Víctor Valdés. The Camp Nou went silent. Real Madrid took the lead elsewhere, and Barca lost the league because of their "little" neighbor. That moment is fueled by pure, unadulterated spite. It’s the peak of the RCD Espanyol de Barcelona experience.
Then you have Mauricio Pochettino. Before he was the high-pressing tactical mastermind at Spurs or PSG, he was a rugged center-back for Espanyol. He played nearly 300 games for them. When he took over as manager in 2009, the team was dead last. They were buried. Somehow, he pulled off a "Gran Salva" (Great Escape). He’s the one who instilled that "us against the world" mentality that still lingers, even when the results are garbage.
The Chen Yansheng Era: A Rollercoaster of Cash and Chaos
In 2016, everything changed. Rastar Group, led by Chinese billionaire Chen Yansheng, bought the club. Suddenly, there was talk of the Champions League. Fans were skeptical but hopeful. Honestly, it’s been a mess.
- The 2018-2019 season was a dream. They finished 7th and qualified for Europe. The pitch invasion at the end of that season felt like the club had finally arrived.
- Then came the 2019-2020 disaster. They finished dead last. Relegated.
- They bounced back immediately, but the instability has been grueling.
The problem with RCD Espanyol de Barcelona lately is a lack of sporting direction. One minute they’re spending big on Borja Iglesias, the next they’re selling their best assets to balance the books. The fans are tired of being a "selling club." They want to compete. They want to be more than just the team that occasionally trips up Barca.
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Misconceptions: Is Espanyol Really "Pro-Spain"?
This is the big political elephant in the room. Because of the name and the "Real" title, people assume Espanyol fans are all right-wing Spanish nationalists, while Barca fans are the "true" Catalans. It’s a massive oversimplification.
Sure, you’ll see more Spanish flags at the RCDE Stadium than at the Camp Nou. But the fanbase is diverse. There are plenty of pro-independence Pericos. The club’s motto, "La Força d'un Sentiment" (The Strength of a Feeling), is in Catalan. The real divide isn't necessarily political; it's social. Espanyol is the club of the resistance. It’s for the people who don’t want to follow the crowd. It’s for the kids in Barcelona schools who get teased for not wearing a Messi jersey but wear their blue-and-white stripes anyway.
Youth Academy: The Factory (La 21)
While everyone raves about La Masia, Espanyol’s academy—known as Dani Jarque Training Centre—is arguably just as productive relative to its budget. They churn out La Liga-quality players like a factory. Gerard Moreno, Marc Roca, Lucas Vázquez (who spent time there), and Eric Bailly all came through the ranks or were polished there.
The club survives on its youth. When the big money isn't there, they look to the B-team. It’s a source of immense pride. They don't just buy stars; they grow them. This is why the recent struggles in the Segunda Division were so painful. A club with this much history and this much talent in the pipeline shouldn't be fighting for survival in the second tier.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Derby
The Derbi Barceloní is often dismissed by international fans because Barca usually wins. But if you think it’s a friendly neighborly clash, you’ve never been to one. It is vitriolic. It is loud.
When Barca travels to Cornellà, the atmosphere is toxic in the best way possible. There’s a deep-seated resentment toward the media coverage in Catalunya, which often treats Espanyol like a footnote. Every tackle is cheered like a goal. Every mistake by a Barca player is mocked ruthlessly. It’s the one day a year where RCD Espanyol de Barcelona can reclaim the city.
Why You Should Care About the Pericos
Look, supporting a team like Real Madrid is easy. You win. You buy trophies. Supporting RCD Espanyol de Barcelona is hard. It’s a choice. It involves a lot of heartbreak, a few relegations, and a lifetime of explaining to people why you didn't just pick the more successful team three miles down the road.
But there is a soul here that the "super-clubs" have lost. There are no half-and-half scarves at the RCDE Stadium. There are no tourists taking selfies during the 80th minute. It’s raw. It’s authentic. It’s a club that has survived bankruptcy, relocation, and the shadow of one of the biggest sporting brands on earth.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for the Aspiring Fan or Analyst
If you're looking to follow the club or understand where they're headed, keep an eye on these specific markers:
- Monitor the Ownership Situation: Rumors of a sale by Chen Yansheng persist. A move to a local ownership group or a more football-focused investment firm could change their trajectory overnight.
- Watch the "Minute 21": If you ever attend a game, don't be the person sitting down. Stand up and join the applause for Jarque. It’s the fastest way to earn the respect of the locals.
- The Academy Pipeline: Keep an eye on the Espanyol B results. The next big Spanish international is likely sitting in that locker room right now.
- Local Media Nuance: To get the real story, look at outlets like L'Esportiu or La Grada. They offer a counter-narrative to the heavy Barca-centric coverage of Mundo Deportivo or Sport.