MADRID, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The end of the international break and the return to league action in Spain comes with what could be a very special game for Chinese fans, as La Liga leaders FC Barcelona entertain city rivals Espanyol in the Camp Nou stadium.
The match is always a key date in the calendar for followers of both clubs, but this year comes with an extra incentive for Chinese fans following Espanyol's signing of Wu Lei in January.
Wu has already convinced coach Rubi, the local press and fans of his talent, with a 1-0 defeat at home to Sevilla the only game Espanyol have lost since he came into the side.
The forward has scored one goal and supplied two assists, also winning a penalty in a vital game against Rayo Vallecano to help the club climb away from the lower reaches of the table into a comfortable 13th place, nine points above the drop zone.
Not only does Saturday allow fans to see Wu play again, it also gives them the chance to see him play in the Camp Nou against the league leaders, among whom will be the legendary Lionel Messi.
The Argentinian has again been in outstanding form for Barcelona this season, leading La Liga's goalscoring charts with 29 goals from just 26 appearances, 11 more than his Barca teammate Luis Suarez, who sits second on that list.
The chance to see Wu and Messi on the same pitch is clearly the main attraction of the game in China, and La Liga is working to ensure the game receives as much television coverage as possible, with a special live transmission of the game in Shanghai, where Wu previously played for SIPG, in front of Chinese supporters of both teams.
Both Espanyol and Barcelona have given their support to the initiative, while Espanyol are working even harder to ensure the club gains maximum exposure from the event.
Club directors have flown to China to meet with Espanyol's Chinese president Chen Yansheng to begin discussions for next season's plans. However, the visit will also see representatives look for more playing talent in the region with a visit to the Sangao football school, which already has a strategic agreement with the club.
Espanyol also plans to open another football academy in Shandong Province in the hope of finding the next Wu Lei.
There is clearly a lot of excitement around the game, but Espanyol fans should heed a word of warning. Barca won the season's first meeting between the two sides 4-0, with Messi scoring twice and laying on an assist. If Wu can upstage that, he will have to do very well indeed.
