Back

0-0: Goalless on the road

RCD Espanyol cannot find a way through in a stalemate away to Real Valladolid

RCD Espanyol drew 0-0 away to Real Valladolid on Saturday.

The penultimate away game of the season brought Manolo González’s men to the Estadio José Zorrilla, travelling to the best home side in the league and yet another promotion rival. A cagey start was encapsulated by an early change for Espanyol, as Jofre Carreras was forced off injured after persistent fouling from the home defence.

The first half saw few shots on goal and a lot of yellow cards, while Valladolid also had to make an injury substitution. Joan García’s only meaningful save was deep into additional time from Iván Sánchez’s tame effort, remaining goalless at the break.

Both teams pushed with the same intensity in the second half, but that brought more fouls and cards. Valladolid were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when García was deemed to have fouled an attacker, but a lengthy VAR check overturned the decision. Just a minute later and Espanyol were reduced to 10 men, as Nico Melamed was shown a second yellow card as tempers continued to heighten at the José Zorrilla.

The numerical disadvantage did not hold them back, with Martin Braithwaite firing just wide and Pere Milla’s free kick pushed over the bar. But Espanyol could not find the breakthrough, playing out a second goalless draw in a row and missing out on the chance to draw closer to the automatic promotion places.