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1-0: Melendo gives us advantage

Espanyol wins and will fight at the Camp Nou to qualify for semis

Espanyol signed an historical victory against Barcelona in the first match of the quarterfinals of the Spanish Cup. A goal from Melendo, after a great pass from Marc Navarro, allowed the team of Quique Sánchez Flores to achieve an advantage that must be wisely managed to achieve its goal.

Quique Sánchez Flores warned in the press conference before the match that he should look for an alternative to face FC Barcelona. The blue and white coach acknowledged that the previous proposals had not given the expected results and added that he was facing a more physical version of Barcelona than in previous opportunities. Sánchez Flores opted for an eleven with many midfielders and populate the core to get the team to work, work and work. Espanyol got an uncomfortable game for the visitors that only found some oxygen in Messi's boots. The Argentine tried it at the beginning with three free kicks and, then, with his strikes from the midfield so difficult to stop for our defence. Without many pass lines, it was one of the few options to create danger. Luckily, Diego López was very confident in Barça's approaches.

The two coaches moved quickly the bench. Quique, as before Athletic, made two substitutions in a short time: Baptistao and Dídac came in to give some oxygen and look for some action for speed. Valverde, on the other hand, made use of two usual such as Rakitic and Suárez. The two managers maintained an interesting tactical battle to defend their interests. While the game went on without major upsets until De Burgos Bengoetxea pointed out Granero penalty to Sergi Roberto in a rather doubtful action. Diego Lopez, very confident at all times, won the game to Messi and cleared the Argentine's shot. The Galician keeper stop was an injection of confidence for the team that continued believing in its possibilities.

Sanchez Flores did not want his team to reach the final stretch of the game without strength and thanks to the efforts they managed to keep their players playing at a high intensity against a rival that is going through one of the best moments in the season. Moreover, the Blue and Whites, came closer to the rival area and had several options in strategical moves. The most dangerous, a shot by Marc Navarro that cleared Cillessen to corner. The best, however, was to come. Melendo a player of our school, who understands and lives for Espanyol, took advantage of a measured center of Marc Navarro, to score the winning goal.