Back

Match Report: Defeat takes the fight to the final weekend

RCD Espanyol lose 2-0 to CA Osasuna

A 2-0 loss to CA Osasuna for RCD Espanyol took the relegation battle to the final matchday, as Los Pericos suffered another setback in their quest for survival. The team now need to either win their final game to 100% guarantee their place in LaLiga for next season, whatever the result for rivals CD Leganés, although they will enter Matchday 38 outside the drop zone.

RCD Espanyol were coming into the game off the back of a downturn in results that included four consecutive losses, and a defeat in the Barcelona derby. CA Osasuna had picked up their form and were playing their final home game of the season.

Los Pericos started well with a clear chance for Javi Puado, but the captain shot over the crossbar. Osasuna's response was swift, and Torró headed against the post from a set piece.

It was a tactically even match, with the home side's attacks well controlled by the RCD Espanyol defence. However, in an unfortunate move, Aimar Oroz and Ante Budimir combined to beat Joan García, with the ball deflecting in off the striker.

RCD Espanyol tried to react, mainly with shots from outside the box from Edu Expósito and Carlos Romero. However, the clearest chance came from Urko González, which was cleared by Sergio Herrera.

The CA Osasuna defence closed ranks after the goal, allowing little space. Coach Manolo González introduced substitutions for RCD Espanyol to try to give the team a new lease of life, aware that a defeat meant they would have to go all out on the final day of the season.

Pere Milla and Veliz were brought on, and the team began to gain some offensive presence. Espanyol had their chances with a shot from Roberto Fernández, after a good piece of play from Cristian Romero, but Herrera pushed the ball out for a corner. Puado also came close to scoring, but his shot failed to find the target.

Espanyol wanted to equalise, but were unable to generate the necessary danger to best their opponents -who, without much pressure, managed to hold on to the lead.

In the 90th minute, Raúl García extended the scoreline to 2-0.

RCD Espanyol will look to seal survival on Matchday 38 of the season, against UD Las Palmas.