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1-1: Hard-fought draw

RCD Espanyol took away a point after being reduced to 10 men at home to Real Zaragoza

RCD Espanyol played out a 1-1 draw after going down to 10 men against Real Zaragoza on Friday.

A third match within a week was a big matchup with another historic top-flight side battling for promotion, coming off the back of Tuesday’s Copa del Rey win against Real Valladolid. An end-to-end opening half hour saw both sides show promising signs, though lacking clear chances to open the scoring.

Espanyol’s clearest chance of the first half came when Edu Expósito burst through towards the edge of the box, but his shot flew over the bar. Zaragoza were getting into the area but, like the hosts, did not register a shot on target as it remained goalless going into the break.

Coach Luis Miguel Ramis recognised the need for change, making three half-time substitutions in Pol Lozano, Pere Milla and Omar El Hilali. The breakthrough finally came inside the opening 10 minutes of the first half when Brian Oliván’s cross found Expósito who, in acres of space but still with work to do, guided his header home.

Despite being in front, the dynamic of the game would completely change for the hosts when Fernando Calero was sent off for a heavy challenge three minutes after the goal. That forced Ramis into another two changes after the hour, restoring the back four at the expense of his midfield pivot.

Espanyol were working hard to compensate for the numerical disadvantage, but Zaragoza found a way through and equalised through Manu Vallejo. Both teams fought until the end but it ended honours even, leaving 10-man Espanyol with a hard-earned point at the Stage Front Stadium.