It is the first time that Espanyol has won five games in a row in the 21st century. Something unthinkable by anyone a few months ago and never seen by the youngest parakeets. Neither such a score on December 22 nor such defensive strength nor such intelligence … above. Everything is calibrated on the equipment Manolo. Another knock on Europe’s door, this time with a comeback, and the disbelief is absolute.
Espanyol came out with everything, they spared no one despite having several of their key men one warning away from missing the derby. And Valverde, with the infirmary like the Marx Brothers’ cabin, had to come out with a patch defense and Iñaki Williams as the forward.
Match between direct rivals that Espanyol started with a seven-point lead over Athleticzales and ended with diez. Manolo’s team was very solid from the start, in defense and pressure. The calmer everything was, the better for the parakeets, since the danger of the tandem formed by Nico Williams on the wing and Sancet in the center is difficult to alleviate when they play with space.
After ten minutes Valverde was already cursing because he saw his team uncomfortable. Cabrera wanted to go on an adventure in his own area and if it weren’t for Dmitrovic and his knee, the Uruguayan’s false start would have meant 1-0. Serbian’s first miracle. Espanyol, as always, gave the ball to the rival. He trusts nothing more than his defense and maintained the seriousness with which he won in Getafe to neutralize Athletic’s attempts. TO Cabrera The initial error seemed to mark him and he was very doubtful. The first clear of the match, after several warnings, was From Galarretafrom afar before the precision of Espanyol behind.
Athletic’s danger was growing. It is one thing to give up the ball and wait for the opportunity and quite another to be subdued and shout long live the caenas. Dolan He also wanted to have his own particular expedition and tried to get away from three rivals very close to his own area. Obviously failed ingenuity and, this time with even more power, Dmitrovic had to fix it. Imposing anger from Serbian to English with clear gestures that he should not get complicated and send her to the estuary when he is pressured. Anyway, this Espanyol is a professor in knowing how to suffer.
When a team reaches as far as Athletic did, the goal is usually a matter of time. Berenguer marked it. A bit ugly, from a rebound, but it exposed Omar, who came to the struggle with the winger to tickle him.
Little could be savored of the triumph in San Mamés. Romero He took a rebound from his home in Torrent and put it on the side of the goal. Unappealable, the jackpot of the lotterya great goal that broke, on the edge of half-time, the athletic spirit when it was at its highest.
The second half continued with the remarkable vigor of the Basques and the Perica resistance, but it seems that the more they attack Manolo’s men, the worse the punishment they return. Dolan was more of a crook than Adamawon the game and then played it with the perfect effect so that Milla I just had to push it. The man from Ilerda is already signing his best scoring season.
Valverde did not change his plan even though the momentum was not working for his team. How bitter the feeling of giving everything and not finding a reward. The Basques’ game had more and more hints of desperation, and Espanyol ran after stealing with the energy gaps that a constant and intense defensive deployment can leave available.
Manolo changed Milla and Lozano, two of those in danger for the derby. Kike came in for the ’10’, an offensive change when the most obvious thing seemed to be removing Roberto, tired of fighting aerial balls and chasing ghosts in the pressure.
The athletic push persisted, with increasing drama because the less there is left until the end, the scarier it is to lose what is treasured. But the spartan fight of the parrots behind was still effective.
With five minutes left, Manolo made a triple defensive change, a recurring strategy of the coach that has always worked out well this season. Outstanding game by Urko, powerful in the center of the field and with some very valuable actions at the back. The addition was a Basque storm that once again had Dmitrovic as an anticyclone. Terrible Rego’s forgiveness in the last play. This Espanyol has no ceiling.
MATCH SHEET
ATHLETIC: Unai Simón, Gorosabel (75′ Areso), Paredes, Lekue, Adama (75′ Unai G.), De Galarreta (59′ Rego), Jaureguizar, Nico (59′ Cruzeta), Sancet, Berenguer, Iñaki (80′ Navarro).
ESPANYOL: Dmitrovic, Omar, Calero, Cabrera, Romero (83′ Riedel), Urko, Pol (72′ Kike), Expósito (83′ Rubén), Dolan (83′ Salinas), Milla (59′ Jofre), Roberto.
GOALS: 1-0 Berenguer (38′), 1-1 Romero (45′), 1-2 (53′).
REFEREE: Busquets Ferrer (Balearic Islands). He cautioned De Galarreta (28′), Nico (32′), Gorosabel (45+1′), Urko (79′), Rego (80′), Riedel (85′).
