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Match Report: RCD Espanyol exit Copa del Rey in Second Round
Los Pericos lose 1-0 to Atlético Baleares
RCD Espanyol bowed out of the Copa del Rey in the second round, losing 1-0 to Segunda RFEF side Atlético Baleares in the Second Round of the competition.
From the first minute at the Estadi Balear, everything pointed to a tightly controlled, physical, and disjointed match, with no concessions or advantages given. The two coaches knew each other exceptionally well, leading to a back-and-forth contest with few surprises.
Atlético Baleares sat deep and looked to exploit the space behind the RCD Espanyol defence. They relied on the speed of Àxel and the slightly deeper runs from Tovar, the team's top scorer with 11 goals in 13 matches.
When defending, the home side used two very compact lines, with up to nine players separated by just a few metres.
RCD Espanyol had to be patient and look for the slightest opening in Atlético Baleares’ defensive structure. Salinas was denied by the goalkeeper, who scrambled the ball away early in the game.
A minute later, Roca tried his luck with a shot that grazed the left post.
The game then entered a lull that lasted until Jofre, near halftime, again shot just wide after a through ball from Roca.
After the break, Edu Expósito tried to surprise the home goalkeeper with a shot from deep, but was unable to open the scoring.
Espanyol maintained control, and it seemed they just needed to convert that into clinical finishing. However, things took a turn: Tovar, incisive and intuitive all night, pounced on a loose ball in the six-yard box to beat Àngel Fortuño and make it 1-0.
The substitutions made by Manolo González gave RCD Espanyol more depth and intensity, and they laid siege to the opposition area, but they barely managed to break down a packed defence.
The narrow lead was enough for the home side, and RCD Espanyol suffered disappointment in the cup.