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First preseason win for RCD Espanyol

Pere Milla scores a late winner against SD Huesca

RCD Espanyol took their first win of the preseason against SD Huesca, triumphing 1-0 thanks to a goal from Pere Milla. Los Pericos dominated the game, although they perhaps lacked effectivenessin the final metres.

RCD Espanyol were hosting SD Huesca at the Ciudad Deportiva Dani Jarque, playing opposition they had faced last season in the Segunda División. As happened in the previous game against Girona, the coaching staff planned the friendly with two priorities: Continuing to distribute minutes amongst the players and assimilating the basic concepts for the team.

During the opening minutes there were a series of turnovers in possession, although Manolo González's team improved as the game progressed. Roca felt comfortable and impressed with his workrate, despite receiving a strong tackle at the start of the match. A long shot from the youngster was the best chance early on.

José Gragera, from the subsequent corner, was unable to finish from an unmarked position in the area.

Espanyol continued to push, with another great run forward from Romero that put the opposition goalkeeper to the test, plus a good individual action from Roca that was not converted. At the other end, Pacheco parried away a dangerous shot from Armero.

Espanyol came out well after the break, wanting to maintain the level of performance offered in the final stretch of the first half. The appearance of Javi Hernández gave the team a little more dynamism in the middle of the park, and he was able to generate danger near the opposition area. A long-distance shot from Salvi was the best chance for Los Pericos before a series of changes were made.

Both coaches made wholesale adjustments to their respective lineups, on a very hot evening. Espanyol tried to get close to the goal defended by Dani Giménez, who made a great save after a spectacular volley from Jofre.

Espanyol's persistence paid off, however, and late on Pere Milla took advantage of a loose ball in the area to score the winning goal.