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0-2: Proper progress
A solid Espanyol controls and dominates a willful Nàstic who ended up outclassed
Espanyol begins to have strength wicks. The intense work done in this preseason continues and the white and blues shows his progress every day. The last victim, Nàstic.
The fifth and penultimate match of the preseason coincided in the calendar with the day of presentation of Nàstic in front of his fans. Although the Nou Estadi did not present a large number of spectators, what was seen in the stands is the spirited state of the public with a team that is contagious of that, of dynamism, intensity and desire to please.
This is Nàstic of Gordillo, a team that moves well positionally, but also a hard rival, suffocating, intense, one of those teams that does not elude physical contact.
On the contrary, the new Espanyol of Rubi shows details of what he wants to do, to liderate on the pitch, to take the initiative.
Puado, head first and a close shot from Naldo, which the goal rejected with the body, served to show that the white and blues wanted to be in charge from the begining. Diego López was a spectator for many minutes, while the opportunities were happening with some continuity on the goal of Bernabé. The most accurate, which put Espanyol ahead, was born of the conviction of Marc Roca to break the line of pressure with a dribble, continue with a pass to Puado, an intentional heel of him for Piatti and a measured center of the Argentine for Baptistao, who hit the ball to the net. 0-1.
After the break, Espanyol started accelerating and, when the first minute of the second half was not yet fulfilled, Álvaro put Bernabé to the test with a great shot from the edge of the area. The Catalan forward, very active generating holes for his teammates, was trying in all possible ways.
The game gained in intensity. This must have been when Fali chased and hit Víctor Sanchez after a struggle. The referee expelled the local midfielder and warned the white and blue player.
Rubi opted to make the ball run more accurately and decision and hence the second goal was born visitor. Borja chased a ball in attack, overcame the center, dribbled Becerra and scored empty. The 0-2 reflected the control that the white and blues had exercised until then and served to close a game full of control, effort and decision for improvement.
DATA SHEET
NÀSTIC: Bernabé, Kakabadze, Fali, Javi Márquez, Tete, Uche, M. Barreiro, Cardoso, Salva Ferrer, De Nova and Mejías. Also played: Becerra, Arzo, Manu del Moral, Maikel Mesa, Abeledo, Roger Figueras, D. Rocha, Djetei, Luis Suárez and R. Brugué.
RCD ESPANYOL: Diego López, Pipa, Naldo, Óscar Duarte, Álvaro, L. Baptistao (Hernán Pérez, min 58), Dídac Vilà (Mario Hermoso, 52) Álex Pérez (Darder, 60), P. Piatti (Melendo, 58) , Puado (Borja Iglesias, 60) and Marc Roca (Víctor Sánchez, 58).
REFEREE: Rubén Ávalos. Yellow card to Uche (min 14) and Víctor Sánchez (min 67) and red car to Fali (min 67).
GOALS: 0-1. Min. 41. Leo Baptistao; 0-2. Min 74. Borja Iglesias.
INCIDENCES: About 5,000 spectators at Nou Estadi.