Back

2-3: Losing the lead

Espanyol loses a game they had under control against Rayo Vallecano

Espanyol suffered an unexpected defeat at the RCDE Stadium against Rayo Vallecano. The blue and white team finished the first half with a comfortable 2-0 lead and feeling good. However, everything went wrong after the break. Rayo scored early after the start of the second half, and in the final stretch of the match managed to score two more goals to take the three points and leave the Espanyolistas without a chance to react.

Espanyol started the game under pressure from their direct rivals, Mallorca and Almería, who had won on Saturday. Vicente Moreno's team could not fail against an opponent who, in the first round, beat the parrots in a very close match and with hardly any scoring opportunities. The Blue and Whites faced the game, in addition, without the usual starter David López, who had to serve a sanction. Calero took his place in the starting eleven.

The players led by Vicente Moreno came out with great determination and with an idea similar to that shown in Montilivi. A good combination between RDT and Nico was the first warning and foreshadowing of the local goal that came shortly after. Puado, as killer, finished off a precise centre by Sergi Darder. It was a great attacking move from the entire Espanyol team. Rayo, with Iraola punished in a booth at RCD Stadium, took a step forward and took possession of the ball. Diego López, with a magnificent intervention, avoided the tie after a shot from the hypermotivated Isi. The game entered a very dangerous phase for the locals. RDT tried as usual, although the Madrid native still couldn't find the goal. However, the '11' is persistent and got his goal. Nico recovered a ball and quickly assisted RDT who was unforgiving. The first half was not without controversy either as González Esteban ignored a clear hand from Isi in the area that should have been a penalty.

Everything pointed to a relatively placid match, but in the second half everything went wrong. Isi, who returned to lead his team, scored a great goal from outside the area with a perfect free-kick. Espanyol was not quite comfortable on the pitch, although Nico Melamed had a magnificent opportunity to get the third goal. The crossbar denied him it. Luck was elusive to the locals, who lost focus in the final minutes. Joni Montiel took advantage of a defensive indecision to score the equalizer with a great goal from outside the area. The final blow came when Álvaro got the third. Espanyol appealed to the heroic in the final minutes, but was not able to bother the Rayista defence.