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Remembering a pioneering derby

On December 23rd, 1900, Barcelona witnessed the birth of a rivalry that would forever mark the history of Catalan football. At the Hotel Casanovas ground in the city, Sociedad Española de Foot-ball faced FC Barcelona for the first time, although on this occasion, it was a game against a Barça reserve team.

Despite FC Barcelona's theoretical superiority, Los Pericos had an unexpected ally in the form of the wind. The conditions pushed the game into unpredictable territory, resulting in a goalless draw.

A month later, on January 27th, 1901, the first official derby took place as part of the Copa Macaya, the first official competition played in Spain and a precursor to the Campeonato Catalan. Again at the Hotel Casanovas, FC Barcelona fielded their lineup of experienced players from across Europe.

The Barcelona XI consisted of Reig; Mauchen, Guirvan; Maier, Terradas, Valdés; Vitty, Black, Gamper, Parsons, and Freeman. Espanyol fielded Balmes; Carril, Álvarez; Lizárraga, Montells, Aballí; Munner, Ponz, Sánchez, Ángel Rodríguez, and Ruiz.

The press of the time documented the anticipation surrounding the match. According to the newspaper Los Deportes, a "large crowd filled the area around the pitch and the plateaus overlooking both of the club's halves."

Just a few minutes into the game, Espanyol took the lead. The goal was protested by Barcelona's defenders for offside, but the referee ruled it valid. It was the club's first official goal in an historic derby.

FC Barcelona's response was swift, as Hans Gamper equalised with a header and subsequently scored three more goals throughout the match. The final score was 4-1. Despite the defeat, the report highlighted the "progress made" by Espanyol's youthful side, and "the bravery of their players in attack and defence," predicting "glorious days for such an enthusiastic club."

Today, 125 years later, we commemorate this rivalry and a derby that is the oldest played in Spain.