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1-1: All square on the road

RCD Espanyol are left to settle with a point in Luis Miguel Ramis' first game at SD Huesca

RCD Espanyol were held to a 1-1 draw away to SD Huesca on Sunday evening.

Luis Miguel Ramis took charge of his first match as head coach at El Alcoraz, as the Mágico went out looking for a return to winning ways in LALIGA Hypermotion. There were very few chances in the first half, Huesca not converting their attacks into chances while Espanyol were unable to work their way into the final third.

A quiet opening 45 minutes did not bare any clear shots on goal for either side, leading Espanyol to bring on Ramon Ramos at the break. The boost in intensity paid off when they were awarded a penalty four minutes after the restart, and after a lengthy VAR delay, Javi Puado stepped up and dispatched it for the opening goal.

Though the visitors had the lead, the game was no more comfortable than before the goal, as Huesca pushed hard for a way into it. They thought they had equalised through Gerard Valentín, but his close-range finish was saved superbly by Fernando Pacheco who got his leg down while diving the other way.

Huesca’s persistence paid off when they equalised thanks to Ignasi Vilarrasa, and almost completed their comeback were it not for Sergi Gómez’s goal-line clearance. Jofre Carreras had a huge chance at the other end on a well-timed volley, but it fell the wrong side of the post and agonisingly close.

Eight minutes of stoppage time were not enough to separate the two sides, as Espanyol were left to return to Barcelona with just a point. Next up for Ramis’ men is consecutive home games at the Stage Front Stadium, starting with the visit of Elche next Saturday.