ESPANYOL FANS HAND ANDRES INIESTA A STANDING OVATION

The moments in true derbies which could be described as genuinely peaceful seem few and far between. Those which seem to be almost forced civility, more common. The Barcelona derby on the weekend was perhaps as genuine as it gets; easily one of the most beautiful moments in the sport this year.

Espanyol fans and players alike gave Andres Iniesta a standing ovation and chanted his name – at least one even had an Espanyol shirt with Iniesta on the back.

And yes, it had everything to do with that World Cup goal which brought Spanish jubilation, but nothing to do with the World Cup itself. It had to do with his t-shirt after the historic goal, “Dani Jarque – Always with us.” Dani Jarque, of course, was the Espanyol player who passed away last year, and also a close friend of Iniesta’s.



This gesture, though not unique, was significant, and so too was the reaction of Espanyol fans on the weekend, despite having their hides handed to them at their brand spankin’ new stadium by their city rivals.