Javier Aguirre says he wants his side to put an end to a run of form which has yet to see us record a domestic win away from home since November.
Our last win off the island came against Villarreal in November, and despite encouraging form at home, the boss says he wants to see his side at their best to get all three points in Barcelona against his former side.
"Let's see if we are able to break this bad streak in which we are immersed at home,” the boss told journalists at his pre-match press conference. “We are eager to change the course of the statistics.
"With the experience I have from so many years in this country and in this league, I know that 31 points are not enough for anything and we are in February. Based on that experience I manage and move forwards.
“Our team competes, and it is capable of winning and losing while competing, but when it does not compete it does not win. We have to compete because that is the minimum I ask of my players.
"I respect Diego Martínez a lot. He is doing a good job with RCD Espanyol. RCD Espanyol comes from getting a very important victory against Elche. They are in good shape after taking three points away and they will want to back it up at home.
“They will surely recover some of their players - it's also a wonderful ground. I was fortunate enough to work there for two seasons and it will be a great match. I have great respect for the team and the coach. They are coming from a win and so are we, so let's see how we do.”
With a clean bill of health for the squad, the boss is keen to have a selection headache and singled out Tino Kadwere for praise following his first LaLiga goal.
"I'm very pleased to have everyone available. We are going through a good moment, both in terms of mood and soccer, and we have to corroborate this away from home. Let's hope we can do it.
"I am happy for Tino because he arrived and it cost him. He came from a different soccer to ours. He came with a different mentality. He deserved to start a game. Very happy because he scored a goal. He could play tomorrow perfectly.”
