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Match Report: RCD Espanyol lose 4-1 in derby
Los Pericos lose out to FC Barcelona
An Espanyol side that created chances to level the match throughout the second half suffered a 4-1 defeat to FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Barcelona took a two-goal lead before the break, although Pol Lozano, with a superb strike in the 56th minute, lifted his side. The home team sealed the game in the final minutes.
Both teams were desperate for all three points for their respective objectives. FC Barcelona, true to their style, circulated the ball to commit players forward and push Espanyol back towards their own penalty area. Espanyol, well organised and working together between the lines, looked to manage the tempo while waiting to find a gap to run in behind the home defence.
Everything changed in the 9th minute: a very inswinging corner from Lamine was met by a Torres header to put the hosts ahead, despite Dmitrović’s protests, as he felt he had been impeded when coming out to claim the ball.
The goal prompted an immediate response from Los Pericos, who had a couple of approaches on goal, including a Kike García shot that Joan García saved.
Another surge from FC Barcelona came after a recovery that ended at Lamine’s feet. He again provided the assist for Ferran, who made it 2-0 past Dmitrović.
The visitors replied straight away with a forceful effort from Dolan that struck the crossbar.
Near half time, Espanyol’s goalkeeper produced a fine intervention from a long move that began with a foul on Expósito on the edge of the area, completely ignored by the referee.
The second half began with more pace from both sides and greater spark. Within the first 10 minutes, the referee disallowed a goal by Eric García for offside and, in the very next move, Pol Lozano scored a stunning goal after pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of the area.
Espanyol pressed and pushed forward, finding space through quick counter-attacks.
From set pieces, Calero and Kike García also had opportunities to equalise. At the midway point of the second half, the game became end-to-end, with chances for both teams.
As the derby entered its final stretch, Pol Lozano reached the byline to deliver a ball to Roberto, which very nearly ended in a goal.
With Espanyol committed in attack, however, Barcelona found space in the closing minutes and, first through Lamine and then Rashford, completed the 4-1 scoreline.