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Match Report: Determined derby showing ends in defeat
Two late goals lead to a 0-2 loss to FC Barcelona
RCD Espanyol put in a determined showing against FC Barcelona in the LaLiga derby, but lost 0-2 at home to their local rivals in their first game of 2026. For much of the game they were the better side, but conceded two late goals that meant they came away emptyhanded.
The two teams were closer in the standings than they had been in years, and after spectacular streaks of consecutive victories in recent weeks. Some 36,283 fans turned out at the RCDE Stadium for the contest, cheering on a team in a great spell of form.
The game also marked FC Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García's return to his former home, and he proved to be decisive with his interventions.
Both teams remained true to their style. Espanyol were tenacious and combative, while the visitors were reliable and steady. As coach Manolo González had predicted, his team worked hard to close down spaces in their penalty area and through everything forward in attack.
Espanyol started with more determination and gradually moved closer to dangerous positions, forcing the entire visiting defence to work tirelessly to stop their attacks. Meanwhile, Marko Dmitrovic used his experience to deal with the few chances that came his way.
The two best opportunities of the first half fell to Roberto Fernández and Pere Milla, who tested the talent of their former teammate. In the first instance, the goalkeeper held firm until the end to stop the Andalusian from finishing a one-on-one, and in the second, he displayed his reflexes with an incredible save from a shot by the Lleida native that was heading in off the crossbar.
The 0-0 halftime score reflected the home side's good performance. With 45 minutes remaining, there was still hope of them being more clinical in the final third.
After Dmitrovic's first clear save, Espanyol created further chances, but all were thwarted by Joan García. Roberto once again was denied by the goalkeeper, and when he managed to chip the ball over him, Jules Koundé cleared the shot almost off the line.
Espanyol were playing well as the minutes ticked by, but little by little, Dmitrovic was called into action more frequently. Through pure intuition, he prevented Eric García from converting a point-blank shot from less than a metre away in the six-yard box.
As the game drew to a close, hearts were broken. Dani Olmo curled a shot into the top corner, to deal RCD Espanyol a crushing blow. Another one followed when the team couldn't prevent a counter-attack from being finished off by Lewandowski. The 0-2 final score was too harsh a punishment, only slightly eased by the cheers of the fans who applauded the exhausted team off the pitch with chants of "proud to be Pericos."