Sat Jan 03 22:00:00 UTC 2026: ## News Article: Garcia Shines Amidst Hostile Return, Fermín Magic Seals Barcelona Derby Win
Barcelona, Spain – Goalkeeper Joan García weathered a storm of jeers and animosity in his return to Espanyol, putting in a stellar performance as Barcelona secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory in a heated Catalan derby on Saturday. Despite a dominant performance for much of the match by the home side, late goals from substitutes Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski, both assisted by Fermín López, secured the win for the La Liga leaders.
The match, played at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium, was marked by a particularly hostile atmosphere directed at García, who left Espanyol for their arch-rivals Barcelona last summer. Espanyol even installed mesh barriers behind the goals in an attempt to prevent objects being thrown at the former fan favorite. However, the stadium’s atmosphere did not stop some Espanyol fans from holding up signs showing rats in Barcelona’s colors.
García proved impenetrable, making a string of crucial saves to deny Espanyol’s attack, spearheaded by Pere Milla and Roberto Fernández. His standout moment came in the 39th minute when he acrobatically tipped Milla’s point-blank header over the bar.
Espanyol’s pressure continued until late in the second half, when Fermín López entered the fray, injecting fresh energy into the Barcelona attack. His pinpoint passes set up Olmo in the 86th minute and Lewandowski in the 90th, sealing the victory and ultimately crushing Espanyol’s hopes.
The win extends Barcelona’s lead over second-placed Real Madrid to seven points, pending the latter’s match against Real Betis on Sunday. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable victory, it was García’s resilience and shot-stopping prowess, coupled with Fermín’s late-game brilliance, that ultimately secured the three points for Barcelona.
First Piper 