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Match Report: 4-1 loss away to Athletic Club

Álvaro Tejero gets the consolation goal for Los Pericos

Espanyol fell to a 4-1 defeat at San Mamés against Athletic Club, on their return to LaLiga action following the international break.

Up against a side playing European football this season, at one of the most imposing away grounds in the division, Los Pericos struggled to take hold of the ball in the early going. Athletic Club took the lead thanks to a shot by Vivian.

Espanyol found it difficult to find the calm they had displayed in previous games and only Jofre, with his forays down the wing, conveyed danger. Athletic continued to dominate, and when Espanyol tried to react, the Basque side delivered two practically definitive blows: Iñaki Williams first took advantage of a pass from Alex Berenguer to easily beat Joan García and, shortly after, he took advantage of an solo move by his brother Nico to score his second.

Manolo González made three changes at half-time, looking for a reaction from his team. RCD Espanyol came out well and had the first clear chance of the match with a header from Pere Milla.

It seemed that the match was taking a different turn, but again the home team found their way through and Berenguer got his team's fourth with a solo move.

Espanyol tried to react with another run from Jofre and a shot that narrowly missed, then got the consolation goal in stoppage time from Álvaro Tejero's direct free kick.

After the 4-1 loss, the team now move on to a Friday match at home against Sevilla.