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Match Report: 1-2 loss for RCD Espanyol against Villarreal
An opening goal was not enough for points at the RCDE Stadium
Having put the defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu to Real Madrid behind them, RCD Espanyol returned to the RCDE Stadium in a Thursday night encounter with Villarreal. Despite taking the lead in the first half, they suffered a 1-2 turnaround that left them without points on Matchday 7.
The first half saw many stoppages, leading to the referee up adding eight minutes of stoppage times, and the play lacked continuity for both sides. The action was on the limit and even required Raúl Albiol to be substituted after a heavy collision with Veliz.
RCD Espanyol managed to take the lead in stoppage time in the first half, thanks to a well-rehearsed move. Brian Oliván tricked the away team's defence and assisted for Jofre to beat Diego Conde with a precise shot from outside the area.
However, as happened at the Santiago Bernabéu a few weeks ago, the equaliser came almost immediately, from a set piece finished off by Ayoze Pérez. The forward rose highest to level, but there was controversy about his involvement: Espanyol felt he should have been sent off minutes before.
Espanyol started the second half well, with a change in defence: Sergi Gómez came on for Leandro Cabrera. Javi Puado, after a good recovery by Pol Lozano, had a very clear opportunity to score the second goal for Los Pericos.
However, just when Espanyol were at their best, Ayoze Pérez made a clever move to score the visitors' second goal.
Coach Manolo González made changes, looking for a reaction from his team and a goal that would at least allow them to earn a point. It ultimately did not arrive, and the game ended 1-2.