"I don't want to come here and my only takeaway being an improvement in my ability on the pitch," he says. "I want to show the supporters that I'm really interested in the culture and the language, and I actually want to connect with them, so they understand me not just as a player but also as a person."
"He's not talked about enough, but for me he's crucial. Other players get a lot of attention and he's overlooked, but he's a vital player for what Barça does,"
There have been some pre-match comments flying about, too. Espanyol forward Pere Milla has appeared on television and was asked during a humorous Q&A with fans whether he'd rather stand on Garcia or Yamal. "I think Lamine," was his response - albeit with a smile - which quickly made headlines all over the place. That comment may not have gone unnoticed by Yama who has posted an image of himself celebrating in front of Espanyol fans on Instagram with the message: "Eager to return."
"Football has always belonged to its people," Pace said. "Our role is not to replace legacy, but to build upon it, with care, with clarity and with purpose. "This is not about ownership; it's about stewardship. Burnley will remain Burnley. Espanyol will remain Espanyol. Each club will retain its own leadership, identity, independence and decision-making, run by its own people, for its own supporters.
In the final moments before Saturday's match, Tyrhys Dolan will pick up his phone and look at the photo of Jeremy Wisten, the best friend for whom he would give it all up. He will touch the No 24 on his shirt, chosen to commemorate the day Jeremy died, aged 18. And then he will head out to where it all comes to him and it all leaves him too. I feel nervous every game, Dolan says, but when I'm walking though the tunnel it's like it's all dropping off me, the shackles fall. All the graft, everything you gave to get here, this is it, now you're free.
