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1-1: A hard-fought point

More than words can say, the game against Getafe was hugely important for RCD Espanyol. Pablo Machín’s side could not afford to slip up again at the RCDE Stadium given the side’s precarious situation in the league. The eventual draw was the lesser of two evils for the boys in blue and white, who found themselves behind after two minutes. Wu Lei made amends just before the break.

The match could not have got off to a worse start for Espanyol. Diego López did superbly to keep out a strike from Cucurella in the first minute. There was nothing the Galician could do, however, to keep out the vistors’ next attack. Mata, quicker to the ball than Calero, headed the ball into the back of the net. David López had the chance to equalize soon after from a corner, but Soria saved. Too much anxiety, uncertainty and not enough football. Machín’s direct style of play didn´t overly trouble Bordalás’ side, with every Espanyol attack ending in the away side bringing down Campuzano or Wu Lei. The home side improved, but not enough to trouble their opponents. The only clear chance was Wu Lei’s header from a Víctor Gómez cross. Things were not looking good for Espanyol. Again, the set-piece, Espanyol’s main attacking threat, proved key. A corner swung in by Victor Sánchez was tucked away at the back-post by Wu Lei to equalize before the half-time whistle.

Espanyol emerged after the break with a new energy. Machín’s side, calmer after the equalizer, began to adapt to the demands of the match. The players were more aggressive, less tentative and were channeling their energy in a more positive fashion. The game continued to be close fought, labored, and not always easy on the eye, but this was to be expected given Espanyol’s opponent.  Wu Lei had a second chance, but the Chinese striker was unable to beat Soria. Getafe, who in the second half rarely threatened Diego López’ goal, gave the Espanyol crowd a scare when Molina’s right-footed strike hit the post. In the final minutes, Machín brought on a striker – on-loan Kevin Soni – for his debut in the first team shirt. Espanyol gave everything, encouraged by the support from the stands, but in the end it was not quite enough to overcome an opponent that dealt admirably in the circumstances. We have to keep working!