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Match Report: Cabrera heads RCD Espanyol to fourth consecutive league win
The defender's goal earns a 0-1 triumph away to Getafe CF
RCD Espanyol’s superb run of form in LaLiga continued with a fourth consecutive victory, as they bested Getafe CF 0-1 away from home on Matchday 16. A Leandro Cabrera goal in the second half was enough for Los Pericos to claim all three points at the Coliseum.
In his pre-match press conference, Manolo González had warned about Getafe’s characteristics and expressed what he expected from the game, and so it came to pass. The home team were well-honed in their identity and, almost from the opening kickoff, with Edu Expósito's long ball sent soaring high into the air, it was clear that Getafe wouldn't deviate from their approach and would wait for their moment to attack.
Much of Getafe’s success hinges on neutralising the opposing team, suffocating them with a rough, physical, and uncomfortable style of play. Minutes upon minutes of disjointed, sluggish, and uninspired football would occur in the first half, lacking the necessary continuity to find openings.
In the first half, only three moves posed any real threat. The first was a shot from Kike García that was ruled offside. Shortly after, a header from Cabrera, amidst the chaos in the home team's penalty area, sailed over the bar. And finally, Getafe's only clear chance came from a shot by Mario Martín near the end of the period, which rose well over the bar.
With the score level at the interval, the second half began with the same uncertainty. The first warning shot came shortly after the restart when Edu Expósito fired an effort off from the edge of the area, but goalkeeper David Soria saved well.
Shortly after, Cabrera tried again with a header, and David Soria once more made a crucial save to send the ball out. From the resulting corner, Cabrera finally found the net, heading past the goalkeeper and breaking the deadlock on 53 minutes.
A reward for the away side's boldness, the scoreline of 0-1 meant Getafe coach José Bordalás reacted immediately: He made three substitutions to inject some energy into the home attack.
The solid work of the RCD Espanyol defence, along with a reliable Marko Dmitrović in goal, ensured the result was preserved, giving the team their fourth consecutive league victory.