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Match Report: 2-2 draw with Burnley FC in preseason friendly

Jofre Carreras and Kike García score for RCD Espanyol in the fixture

RCD Espanyol opened their series of UK friendlies with a 2-2 draw with Burnley FC, as Jofre Carreras found the net early and Kike García scored a late equaliser for Los Pericos.

There was intensity, determination, and drive -albeit also some errors in both defence and attack- as Manolo González' men took on the English side.

RCD Espanyol started the match with high intensity. Playing at a fast pace and looking to force mistakes, they capitalised just three minutes in: Pressure near the home team's goal led to a ball being won inside the six-yard box, allowing Jofre to tap in to put his team ahead.

However, just a minute later, Larsen slipped between the Espanyol defenders and set up Ramsey for the equaliser. 

The game opened up for a spell, with chances at both ends, though the attackers lacked precision with their finishing. Espanyol had an opportunity midway through the period, in which Roberto failed to connect properly with a cross from Jofre. Around the half-hour mark, Urko González tested Burnley goalkeeper Weiss with a shot from outside the box.

It seemed Espanyol were gaining momentum and taking back control of the game against a side set to play their first competitive cup round next week and, in theory, closer to match fitness.

After the break, home manager Hayen made nine substitutions, and Burnley renewed their energy and attacking pace. In the 47th minute, Hountondji took advantage of some defensive hesitation to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

Manolo González began to manage his substitutions carefully, injecting fresh legs through staggered changes throughout the second half. The tide slowly began to turn and Espanyol kept pressing; with five minutes remaining, they got their reward, as Kike García scored the equaliser in the 2-2 draw.