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0-1: Silence at Benito Villamarín
A header by Diego Reyes gives the three points to Espanyol
Espanyol achieved their second victory of the season after defeating R. Betis thanks to a goal by Diego Reyes. The Mexican scored after a corner kick served by Piatti from the left. The white and blue team managed to keep their lead in the scoreboard against a rival that didn’t have many chances to draw the match. Diego López made a superb save in the final minutes to assure the three points.
As in all the matches Quique Sánchez Flores did some changes in his line-up. The manager decided to put David López back again in defence and decided to put Víctor Sánchez and Aarón in the back. Javi Fuego and Hernán Pérez, who started in the bench against Eibar, were back on the team.
Betis started better than us and enjoyed a good chance in a cross shot of Sanabria that went clear the post. The white and green side with the support of the fans hoped to achieve a new victory but Espanyol were not willing to give any facilities. After a difficult start, Quique’s boys started to put their plan in practice. The team worked a lot in the midfield and soon Hernán and Piatti started to get to Adan’s area.
Aarón was the first to try with a free kick that Adan saved without many problems. Hernán also thought it was a good idea to try from long distance but he wasn’t very lucky. Before half time Espanyol had two clear chances to get in front of the score board. First it was Gerard who tried with a hard shot that Adan sent to corner and nearly in the last minute it was Piatti who was close to score with a good header.
After the break Betis tried to pressure Espanyol but the solid defence of the white and blue team didn’t allow the locals to create much trouble. In the other hand the visitors arrived to the other area in fast counter attacks. After one of them the first goal of the match arrived. Diego Reyes, with a brilliant header, scored the first goal taking advantage of a corner kick served by Piatti.
Espanyol was in the lead and the aim was to get the second victory of the season. Quique refreshed the team with Reyes, Diop and Demichelis, who was very important in the final minutes to reject all home attacks. Therefore who was absolutely providential was Diego López with a superb save that allowed Espanyol to get three more points.