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2-1: Deserved triumph

A good Espanyol comes back against Real Sociedad with goals from Baptistao and Gerard

Espanyol added an important victory that brings them closer to the noble zone of the table. The Blue and Whites turned a match that was complicated in an unexpected way in the first half. However, the local side did not lose hope and knew how to wait for their moment. Baptistao and Grerard culminated the remarkable collective effort. The squad coach Quique Sánchez Flores, in one of the best matches of the season, outperform a direct rival in the standings.

Espanyol faced the visit of the Real Sociedad with optimism and the hope of adding a victory that would bring him closer to the positions of honor of the classification. In an irregular season in terms of results, the confrontation against the team from San Sebastian should be a turning point. Quique Sánchez Flores opted to give continuity to his eleven type with the only novelties of Pau and Carlos Sánchez by Diego and Darder.

The start of the game was exciting with arrivals to the areas of the two teams. The Real Sociedad warned a couple of times, but the innocent shots of Juanmi and Willian José did not put Pau López in trouble. The blue and white team responded quickly with good options to get ahead on the scoreboard. Especially clear was the opportunity for Grerard Moreno who, after a corner, finished at the hands of Moyà. Piatti also had a great chance to score, but his shot went very high. The offensive proposal of the two contenders led to a game with alternatives, opportunities and good game phases. A lot of rhythm and intensity on the part of the two teams. That's how new goal opportunities came for the locals. Gerard and Baptistao continued to threaten the goal defended by Moyà, who was as confident with his hands as nervous in the footwork.

Real put a little pause to the game in order to calm an impetuous Espanyol that sought to give continuity to the good game against Real Madrid to delight their fans. The sensations transmitted by the blue and white team invited optimism, but again, bad luck crossed the path of the locals. Óscar Duarte lost a ball and Willian José, who was very participative, took the opportunity to overtake his team on the scoreboard. An unfortunate action that ended up tarnishing a good first part of the espanyolistas.

Fortunately the mood of the locals did not decline and, from the start of the second half, saw an ambitious Espanyol. Gerard and Baptistao staged a double chance of danger that did not end in goal because of Moya and a visiting defender who cleared, on the same goal line, the Brazilian's shot. Still mourning the unfortunate occasion, Baptistao took revenge to equalize the score after a masterful pass from Granero. Back to start with almost the entire second part ahead.

After a new opportunity for Gerard, the Real once again calm the game but without reaching an overwhelming domination. The players of Sánchez Flores took advantage to catch some air before reaching the decisive stretch of the game. The local read well the match, and also knew how to take advantage of the defensive imbalances of the Real. It was Baptistao, very participative, who gave way to the comeback. The Brazilian got a ball in the center of the field and assisted Gerard who was knocked down by Moyà. The '7' assumed the responsibility and although it did not hit from the fateful point, it did take advantage of the rejection to complete the comeback.