Back

First defeat of 2023/24 for RCD Espanyol

Los Pericos are stifled in a 1-0 loss on the road

RCDE Espanyol fell to their first defeat of the season at the hands of Tenerife, despite generating multiple scoring chances in their Monday night fixture away from home.

Luis García's team began the game with a firm conviction of taking control of the game, and in the first fifteen minutes they had as many as four very clear chances to take the lead. In two of them, Tenerife goalkeeper Juan Soriano proved to be the saviour for his side.

A defensive error proved to be the difference in the first half, as Enric Gallego robbed the ball from Fernando Pacheco and slotted a shot into the net.

With their advantage on the scoresheet in place, the Tenerife players shut up shop and looked for counterattacks, making the most of the speed of their forwards. In the last quarter of an hour of the first half, a quartet of chances went RCD Espanyol's way, but Javi Puado and Martin Braithwaite both struck off-target.

Just before half-time, a foul by Omar El Hilali inside the box was not called by either the referee or VAR, as Espanyol were denied a penalty.

After the break, Tenerife tried to slow the game and look for more counterattacks, while Espanyol continued to push their way forwards. Thwarted time and time again by the packed Tenerife defence and their goalkeeper, Los Pericos were denied a reward for their persistence on Matchday 7.