Within the unproductiveness of Espanyol, submitted by the bottom of Primera, one data stood out more than others. Without Raúl de Tomás, the magnifying glass focused on the forward, aware both in the dressing room and outside of it that the Madrid striker is himself an offensive system. It is not necessary to create a habitat for him in which he feels comfortable to shoot and score; in fact, he continues to average 50% (six of 12) of Espanyol goals.
Throughout the match, and except for Adrián Embarba’s attempts, especially from set pieces, the centrals finished more than the forwards in 180 minutes of accumulated play Between both. Sergi Gómez did it twice in two corners and scored a goal, while Leandro Cabrera hit the crossbar with the ball on the 1-1 play. They were the best offensive weapon of a Espanyol who lost an opportunity, as the Uruguayan points out.
La Liga Santander
* Data updated as of November 1, 2021
“It was a good game to win and get hooked to the top. There were times when we weren’t there. They were risking their lives, we must be more regular. It’s a shame but you have to go for victory. All the goals are decisive and they mark the game for you. We could have won the disputes, but we didn’t. We must not regret it, but go for the next one, ”said Cabrera.
The three center-back shots, even Adrià Pedrosa finished more than Nico Melamed, contrast with the low production of the forwards. Nany Dimata left the match without testing David Soria. He only did it in a header that was canceled for offside. Javi Puado and Wu Lei (he barely played the addition) only finished off once: a deflected shot from the youth squad. While Loren Morón, who participated 45 minutes, is still denied and his shot was deflected.
Javi Puado.
AFP7 via Europa Press
“They played a lot, it got away from us”
Apart from the poor success of the forwards, they did not get any good balls either. Espanyol got stuck in attack, without a plan with three midfielders or two battering rams, unable to be fluid. “We leave hurt. We tried, but the details made the difference. They played a lot, it escaped us. We wanted to win away from home, you have to fight to get it. The next game must be a sample ”, said the central scorer this Sunday.
The next step is Granada next Saturday. Another set that arrives questioned and in the relegation zone. There it will already be in Raúl de Tomás and Espanyol will compete at the RCDE Stadium, where it is offering guarantees. The centrals, in attack, will again be a resource, since they already have two goals, more than the second attacking unit parakeet.