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1-0: Lucky victory
A goal made between Gerard and Piatti gives the victory to Espanyol
Espanyol recovered their most effective version to earn the three points against Getafe and reach the comfortable zone of the classification where there are a good number of teams. A goal by Gerard, after Piatti's pass, served to defeat a rival who did not worry too much. With suffering and work, as usual, the locals tied the triumph.
Espanyol found a conservative Getafe that decided not to risk a single millimetre. The team led by José Bordalás, that came to the game without the urge to score, opted to fall back on defense - as usual - and trust his luck against any strategy or that this season is reporting many goals. Given this situation, Espanyol was forced to take control of the ball and try to build plays of danger with patience to break the iron defensive line of visitors.
The blue and white team came out with enough determination in search of the goal. Aarón tried with a kick from the front that Guaita saved to corner and, shortly after, the crossbar avoided the first goal of Hermoso. Neither the temperature nor the atmosphere in the stands helped much, but Espanyol seemed to have the game under control. However, everything changed in a Getafe counter that, miraculously, did not end in a goal. Angel, very generous, assisted to Molina who ran into an incommensurable David Lopez. This action made some nerves and doubts bloom in the blue and white team that lost the order and concentration shown from the beginning.
Although those of Quique Sánchez Flores continued to dominate possession, they did not seem so comfortable. Only Darder, with a distant kick, and Sergio Garcia, after a good pass from Piatti, created a certain danger against an opponent that was very solid in defence and very safe in strategy actions.
The second part started with an important novelty at Espanyol. Javi Fuego, with a yellow, left his place to Marc Navarro. The change caused that Víctor Sánchez happened to the center of the field in company of Darder, a pair unpublished until the moment. The start was a copy of the first part. Getafe, of course, was not going to risk and Espanyol was forced to take the initiative. The game went by some dangerous routes, because the locals do not just find the formula to impose on their opponent. However, this time, luck was on the blue and white side. Gerard slightly diverted a free kick by Piatti to overcome Guaita. The same luck smiled to the white and blue shortly after in a play of strategy that did not finish in the goal of the tie by very little.
It was to ensure the result, to apply in defense and to try to take advantage of some of the options that could be given. The presence of Melendo, in this sense, was very good for the team. The push was the best ally of Espanyol in the final stretch of the game to retain the advantage and add three very important points.