Saturday is derby day in the city of Barcelona (Camp Nou at 8.45pm CET) and in keeping with local tradition, Barça coach Ernesto Valverde and Espanyol boss Quique Sánchez Flores met the day before the match.
The FCB stadium was the venue for Friday’s encounter, with the two managers all smiles for the media. This is by no means the first time that the two men have come face to face, but this will be their first meeting in charge of the respective local rivals.
Indeed, this is the eleventh season for Valverde in the Spanish top flight, and his fifth different club after Athletic Club Bilbao, Espanyol, Villarreal and Valencia.
Quique Sánchez Flores has a wealth of experience at the highest level too, having previously offered his services to Getafe, Valencia and Atlético Madrid.
