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1-0: Espanyol deserves more in Mestalla
The Blue and Whites do not find a prize for the good image offered against Valencia
Espanyol deserved more in their visit to Mestalla. Despite the initial goal of Rodrigo Moreno after an electric play at the beginning of the first half, the team today led by Antonio Diaz took the baton of danger with precise combinations, criteria and transacted arrivals to the area of Neto. The blue and white showed an optimal version that was not rewarded with the goal.
With the statistics against. With a defence reduced by injuries, with forced changes in the starting eleven and with the opposite dynamics, Espanyol had to clench his teeth in Mestalla. The locals had 22 points in the last eight days (seven wins and one draw) and do not lose at home since January 27 against Madrid. They have arrived at this stage in a state of grace and they proved it.
With these data, Espanyol was -it was a receipt- to stand up and answer. And they tried it since the ball started. In fact, at 22 seconds Gerard beat Neto, but the assistant had signalled offside... Possibly the Catalan forward's body covered the defender that accompanied him in the race. Very close. For the debate. And to watch it again and again on TV. When the first minute of the match closed, Melendo finished at the hands of Neto and at six, Espanyol found the goal against Rodrigo. First approach and the ball to the bottom of the net. This is how effective Valencia 2017/2018 is.
From that moment, the game became a give and take. The blue and whites had six more chances to equalize before the break. While, on the local side, Kondogbia and Guedes made Pau shine in a pair of shots with all the intention.
The game had sparkle, intensity, desire in both teams and was entertaining for the stands. The second half started with the same ingredients and Marc Navarro, lack, made Neto again show off. And Rodrigo replied, head on, with another occasion that went away. The catalogue of opportunities did not end here because Darder had one more just a few seconds later. Up and down. Non stop. Piatti sent a hard shoit to the base of the wood after a good combination between Baptistao and the omnipresent Melendo.
The balls were still raining from the sides, Navarro pumped the leather with power, Darder controlled the times of the game and David Lopez and Hermoso, in defence imperial distressed a Valencia forced to close. Mestalla was soundproofed with a pass of Piatti's death that Baptistao could not reach and that Marc did not succeed in the auction.
In spite of the numerous attempts, the interesting image offered today by Espanyol did not find the fortune of the goal before the third classified one of the competition.