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1-2: And the team did click
Espanyol wins their first match of the season against Osasuna
Finally, after five matches, Espanyol won for the first time so far this season. Leo Baptistao and Gerard Moreno were the scorers in a very difficult match against Osasuna that fought until the last minute but wasn’t able to find the way to pass over the defence and Diego López. The white and blue team was able to achieve the three points in a very tough stadium.
The home team started the match with a lot of energy just as imagined by Espanyol. Quique Sánchez Flores decided to put Javi Fuego in the middle with Diop and leave David López in the centre back. Diego López performed two good saves in the first minutes and allowed Espanyol to have options during the first half. Baptistao, after a good counter attack, was the first ‘perico’ player to try to score.
Osasuna had the possession of the ball while Espanyol tried to defend themselves as best as possible. Therefore Quique’s boys started to feel more comfortable on the pitch and began approaching the goal defended by Mario. Precisely, the improvement of the team was confirmed just before half team with a brilliant header of Baptistao after a great pass from Javi López. First goal of the Brazilian with his new team.
Local manager did an attacking substitution and Osasuna created some danger in the first minutes, but Espanyol also answered back with some fast breaks. Marc Roca, who got in the second half, had a marvellous opportunity to score after a defence mistake but his header went out by a few inches.
Osasuna didn’t lose their faith and was able to score the draw. Sergio León beat Diego López who was cue a few minutes after refusing a header by Fuentes. It was the fourth time Espanyol got ahead in the score board and the fourth time their rival drew the match. However, things changed in Pamplona. Marc Roca in a great transition assisted for Gerard Moreno who after a great dribbling scored his fourth goal of the league and gave Espanyol the first victory.