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RCD Espanyol held to 1-1 draw at the RCDE Stadium
Los Pericos claim a point thanks to a great goal by Nico Melamed
On Matchday 35 of the LaLiga season, RCD Espanyol met a spirited Osasuna side at the RCDE Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Nico Melamed scoring for Los Pericos.
Osasuna had been enjoying a good dynamic of results, and from the start showed that they were going to fight to take the three points. After a somewhat difficult start, Espanyol took the initiative and had two consecutive opportunities in the opposition area that came close to ending in a goal: Sergi Darder and Tonny Vilhena, with two shots from outside the area, threatened the goal defended by Sergio Herrera.
The goalkeeper would also be called into action at the end of the first half, when he blocked a counter by Puado with his face. At the other end, Espanyol held up well in defence, Diego López intervening well when required. However, a loss of possession by Aleix Vidal just before the break saw Kike Barja take advantage to score for Osasuna.
For the second half, Vicente Moreno tried to change the script of the game by bringing in Raúl de Tomás and Melendo, adding another gear to the attacking play.
Espanyol enjoyed good fortune on a counterattack from Osasuna, making a late block to prevent a second goal, and then went forward in search of their equaliser.
Los Pericos improved notably and ended up finding the levelling strike through an individual move by Nico Melamed from outside the box.
Espanyol would push for a winner, but the game ended up with the spoils shared. They now take on Alavés on Wednesday night, in the antepenultimate round of fixtures this season.