Beating Espanyol, Barcelona is getting stronger at the top of the standings

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Host Barcelona won 3-1 over Espanyol in the Spanish League or La Liga, Sunday (3/11/2024), at the Olimpic Lluis Company Stadium.

The goals that put Hansi Flick’s team ahead were scored by Dani Olmo who scored two goals and Raphinha. Meanwhile, Espanyo’s reply was scored by Javi Puado.

This result confirms Barcelona as the leader of the Spanish League standings. They are at the top with a collection of 33 points. They are nine points ahead of Real Madrid, who did not play this week because the Valencia home where they were supposed to play was flooded.

Meanwhile for Espanyol, this is their eighth defeat. They slumped to 17th with 10 points.

In other matches, Atletico Madrid won 2-0 over Las Palmas at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. The hosts scored two winning goals from Giovanni Simeone and Alexander Serloth.

Atletico is now in third place in the standings with 23 points. Meanwhile, Las Palmas is in 18th place with nine points.

In this match, which is often referred to as the Barcelona derby, Robert Lewandowski was the host’s mainstay in the front row.

This striker from Poland is the sole attacker in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick fielded the trio of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Raphinha as support for Lewandowski.

Flick entrusted his midfield to the duo Marc Casado and Pedri. Meanwhile, the back row was entrusted to Hector Font, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Alejandro Balde. They guard goalkeeper Inaki Pena.

Meanwhile in the Espanyol camp, coach Manolo Gonzalez is using a 4-4-2 formation. He partnered Javi Puado and Joffre Carreras as attackers.

They are supported by a middle line consisting of Rafael Bauza, Alvaro Aguado, Alex Kral and Carlos Romero.

Meanwhile, the back row was entrusted to Leandro Cabrera, Marash Kumbulla, Omar El Hilali and Alvaro Tejero. The goalkeeper position is filled by Joan Garcia.

Barcelona started their lead in the first half through a goal scored by Dani Olmo. The former RB Leipzig player found the back of the opponent’s goal after maximizing Lamine Yamal’s pass in the 12th minute.

The hosts continued their dominance of the game by scoring the second goal in the 23rd minute. This time the goal was scored by Raphinha. The former Leeds United player got his name on the scoreboard after using Marc Casado’s pass.

Dani Olmo scored his second goal of the match in the 31st minute. The player who graduated from the Espanyol academy scored a goal after taking advantage of Alejandro Balde’s pass.

In the 40th minute, Espanyol made a change. Marash Kimbulla was withdrawn due to injury, he was replaced by Sergi Gomez. The 3-0 score for Barcelona’s advantage lasted until the first half ended.

Entering the second half, Barcelona made two changes at once. Marc Casado and Dani Olmo were withdrawn and replaced by Frenkie De Jong and Fermin Lopez respectively.

In the 58th minute, Espanyol was actually able to break through Barcelona’s goal thanks to Alvaro Tajero’s goal. However, after seeing VAR, the referee declared the goal invalid because Joffre Carreras was caught offside.

In the 62nd minute, it was Espanyol’s turn to make two substitutions. Justin Smith and Wallid Khedira came on to replace Rafel Bauza and Alvaro Aguado.

Espanyol’s efforts to reduce the deficit met results in the 63rd minute. Striker Javi Puado managed to break through the hosts’ goal after maximizing Carlos Romero’s pass.

The goal came from Romero’s action in sending a cross to the front of the goal. Puado used this push from the number 22 player with his right foot to break through the Barcelona goal guarded by Inaki Pena. The score changed to 1-3.

In the 78th minute, both sides made changes. Barcelona withdrew Hector Fort and replaced him with Jules Kounde. The Espanyol side made two changes by withdrawing Omar El Hilal and Carlos Romero and being replaced by Naci Unucar and Brian Olivan respectively.

Barcelona also replaced two players in the 85th minute. Ansu Fati and Gavi were introduced to replace Raphinha and Pedri.

Barcelona appeared dominant with 77% ball possession. However, the two teams were actually evenly matched in terms of delivering precise kicks into the opponent’s goal, namely three.

Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia had to work hard by making six brilliant saves in this match. Meanwhile Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena made two saves. The score 3-1 for Barcelona’s advantage lasted until the match was over.