The time for celebrations is over. The fifth Ballon d'Or claimed by Barcelona forward Lionel Messi in Zurich on Monday takes a back seat as the Blaugrana travel to Espanyol for the sides' second leg meeting in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.
Barca take a 4-1 lead to Cornella following a comfortable win at Camp Nou in the first leg last Wednesday, but last season's treble winners know their local rivals are out for revenge following a bad-tempered clash which saw two Espanyol players sent off and ended with an ugly confrontation in the tunnel after the match.
Luis Suarez was accused in the referee's report of inciting that encounter and was banned for two games on Friday, meaning he will miss the return match at Cornella.
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, who won the Coach of the Year award at the Ballon d'Or on Monday, preferred to stay behind in the Catalan capital to prepare for the game against Espanyol instead of travelling to Switzerland. "Luis can't be here due to professional commitments," sporting director Robert Fernandez said as he picked up the award on his colleague's behalf.
So despite the 4-1 lead that should be ample for the Blaugrana to advance to the last eight of the competition, Barca are leaving nothing to chance. "The tie is not over," Gerard Pique warned after the first match. "In the history of this club there is a 4-0 defeat to Getafe."
That came in 2006-07, when Barca threw away a 5-2 lead in the second match at the Coliseum and missed out on a place in the final of the Copa del Rey.
Espanyol claimed ahead of the first leg that they had been the victim of a press campaign, but did themselves few favours at Camp Nou as Hernan Perez and Pape Diop were both sent off and goalkeeper Pau Lopez got away with a cynical stamp on Messi.
"I would like football to be the focus, but we will have to see what we are up against," Luis Enrique said ahead of the game on Wednesday.
The Asturian coach also met with Espanyol boss Constantin Galca for the traditional pre-derby photograph of the two men holding their respective club jerseys which they had been able to organise before the first match due to scheduling difficulties. And the aim was to lower tensions ahead of the second-leg meeting.
For the third derby in 2016, Luis Enrique welcomes back Javier Mascherano, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta after all of them were rested on Saturday, while Dani Alves should start after playing just 25 minutes against Granada.
Barca's only fear is the risk of injuries in what is likely to be another ill-tempered derby, especially with a build-up of games in January and February. But Luis Enrique and his players are ready for another brutal battle on Wednesday. The 'war' rages on.
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