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1-1: One more point

Espanyol draws against Celta thanks to a goal of Asensio

Constantin Galca team managed to add a point against Celtic in a very even and without too many scoring options game. Iago Aspas gave advantage to the visitors after a defensive error, but Marco Asensio, before the break, managed to score when Espanyol was playing better. In the second half, Espanyol managed the result but lacked a bit of verticality and patience to achieve a better result.

Espanyol, that feels more comfortable defending and leaving the responsibility to their opponents, was forced to do their best against a team like Celta that likes to create football from defence. The blue and white team was close to take advantage of the risks assumed by Celta: Abraham stole a ball but he wasn’t able to score as he couldn’t beat Sergio. This action didn’t change Celta’s philosophy and they tried to build from behind. Espanyol was forced to defend to stop the visitor’s attacks and control dangerous and quality players as Iago Aspas or Nolito, who are able to decide any match the play.

Minutes went pass with Celtra controlling the match but without putting Pau in trouble. Galca’s players tried to surprise in fast attacks. However, the visitors were the first to knock in a fast transition. Iago Aspas appeared to slip through the central defenders and beat Pau. Espanyol was obliged to turn to an adverse scoreboard. The truth is that the locals reacted quickly and began to generate enough options to draw. Diop tried with a distant shot, Abraham continued with a good header and Hernan, with all in favour, sent his shot over the bar. Finally, Marco Asensio, with a subtle touch from outside the area with his good leg, the left, got the equalizer before the break.

Espanyol had 45 minutes ahead to try to consummate the comeback. In the early stages Hernán Pérez created one of the clearest opportunities for Espanyol, but no one could take advantage of their pass inside the area. The response from visitors was immediately with a header that went high of Radoja. Clearer was an action on the left wing of Rubén Duarte, but the center of Almeria was nothing precise and Gerard could not finish accurately.

Coaches began to move the bench but Galca forcibly because he had to put Enzo Roco by Oscar Duarte, who retired injured. Before, Caicedo had substituted Abraham. The last bet of the Romanian coach was Burgui that should give a little more than imbalance band. The match entered in a phase without a clear dominator, with attacks on the two areas but not materialize in shares of real danger to decant the match on one side or another.