Back

1-2: Comebacks

Espanyol lose their first game of the season at home despite RDT's goal

Girona continues to be Espanyol's black beast. Vicente Moreno's team lost their first game of the season despite getting ahead on the scoreboard thanks to another goal from RDT. However, the final minutes of the game were once again fateful for Espanyol, with the visitors getting back in the game within less than five minutes.

Espanyol hosted a Girona team that was deeply influenced by injury and by the latest referee complaints. In addition, the precedents for the blue and whites were not at all promising, as Girona had won in the two previous leagues. Beforehand, many considered Vicente Moreno's team to be the clear favourite because of their position in the rankings, their opposition's results and Francisco's team's injuries. However, it was clear from the beginning that it was going to be a real predicament for the parakeets.

Espanyol did not feel too comfortable and it was difficult for them to find the right rhythm of play to overcome Girona's approach, which focussed on strong defence and counterattack. The blue and whites were not too smooth in their movement on the field, or too precise in their passing. The home team got by more from the individual inspiration of their attacking players than from the collective game. Embarba, with a couple of long shots, was the first to try, although Espanyol got a major scare in a very rapid counterattack that did not end in a miracle goal.

However, although the blue and whites did not play a brilliant game, they did have several opportunities to get ahead on the scoreboard. Juan Carlos, the Girona goalkeeper, was quite successful during the first half and kept his team in the game until almost the end of the first half. Then Embarba decided to do his thing and put a ball to RDT who, with tremendous coldness, scored the first goal for Espanyol.  

The scene didn't change much in the second half. Espanyol was still unable to find the best version of themselves and the game was full of misses, fouls and inaccuracies. The blue and whites continued to get by on the individual inspiration of their players. Again, the connection between Embarba and RDT was about to produce the second goal, but the striker lacked an inch to clinch the centre of his partner. Espanyol were unable, again, to close the match. Puado, who came out in the second half, had two chances to seal the game, but failed. Barcenas, however, was the one to achieve the tie in the final minutes with a shot from the front. But then everything went downhill. Cabrera gave Bueno a penalty and Samu Saiz beat Diego Lopez. First loss of the season at home.