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1-3: Slowed down

Espanyol could not maintain their streak against Levante who ruled in the second half

Espanyol fans were looking forward to a great week facing Levante. But the team’s plans failed to deliver against the Valencia team, where everything went wrong for the home side. The team was always playing catch up. Despite their chances to capitalize on a 1-1 draw, the visitors' goals torpedoed the home team’s confidence. Espanyol could not repeat their performance against Alavés and Getafe early in the week and lost to a solid Levante.

Levante from range sent an early warning which Diego Lopez didn’t make much of, but the intentions were clear. From the kickoff Levante were determine to deny Espanyol of any of the chances they saw against Alaves last Saturday. Bardhi nearly put his team ahead on the scoreboard, but Diego Lopez was there with a fantastic save. The same solid white-and-blue defense that had kept a clean sheet for 180 minutes, was simply not getting it right. Espanyol didn’t show to this match. Espanyol’s striker Victor Sanchez created the only clear-cut chance for the locals while Calleri picked up a ball outside the area that went wide. But the visitors' insistence finally paid off, Borja Mayoral picked up a loose ball and put it past Diego Lopez.

Espanyol wasn’t taking off; it couldn’t create any chances and looked lost on the pitch. Hitting the goalpost was the closest they got. However, the Espanyol players managed to get back into the game thanks to their strategy. Cabrera played the ball in nicely from the wing onto David Lopez, his partner in the defensive line, who finished it off perfectly. It looked like the match was going to take a different turn, but there was still time for another scare. Del Cerro Grande cancelled out the visitors' second goal for offside. A breath of fresh air for Espanyol.

Espanyol had a hard time getting back into the game after the break. Meanwhile Levante continued to play well. After a few moments of uncertainty, Abelardo's team suddenly seemed to show some improvement. Embarba was the first to send a warning with a shot from range. Caleri missed a chance from a good cross, then followed Dídac with a right leg shot. But that was all Espanyol had up their sleeve. The hosts had taken a step forward, but the script of the game was to change again. Bardhi picked up another loose ball and made it 2 nil to the visitors in a completely isolated action. The goal sank the Team’s morale. It could’ve been worse if it wasn’t for Diego Lopez. While saves from the Galician-born goal keeper kept the team in the game, Abelardo moved the bench to spark a come back. But it wasn’t meant to be. Any chances of getting back into this game faded quickly after Pedrosa’s own goal. Next.