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Manolo Gonzalez says Espanyol won’t take lessons on fan etiquette Barcelona before the highly anticipated return of Joan Garcia to the RCDE stadium tomorrow.
Goalkeeper Garcia became the first player in 31 years to leave Espanyol in Barcelona last summer, sparking a hostile reaction from supporters of his former club. Former Espanyol president Joan Collett even said the 24-year-old had ‘followed the monster’ by moving to the Camp Nou.
Garcia prepares to make his first return to his old stomping ground when La Liga resumes after a short Christmas break this weekend.
Barcelona reportedly fear Garcia’s reception could go overboard, but Gonzalez says league leaders should remember the actions of their own supporters when Luis Figo returned to Catalonia in Real Madrid colors in 2002 with missiles raining down on the Portugal international, including a famous pig’s head.
He said: “The fans will make sure it’s lively, it’s a derby, we won’t go out with a bouquet of roses. That’s normal in a rivalry. But people need to be aware that [if anything does occur]the first victims are the club and the team.
“The fans are aware of this and need to stay calm. It seems like everyone is waiting for the Espanyol fans to make a mistake so they can get their hands on it.
“[We don’t need] behavior lessons. Do you remember what happened with Figo? It’s a football match and nothing else.
When asked specifically about Garcia, Gonzalez responded: “I don’t care about that topic, I only care about winning.”
Barcelona boss Flick calls for calm
Espanyol erected nets behind the goal to reduce the risk of Garcia being hit by objects and Barcelona boss Hansi Flick appealed for calm.
The German said: “I’m positive. We are people, we have to live together. We have to respect each other, which is the most important thing in football. I think we have to be on the same page.
“The most important thing in football is to support your team, not to go against the other. It’s the best for your team. Everyone must send positive energy. You have to concentrate on your team, not on the other.”
He says Garcia is calm and confident before the match.
“I don’t see any difference [in his demeanour] compared to the last few weeks,” added Flick. “He has confidence and believes in his strengths and his quality, that’s what he wants to show tomorrow.”
