Diego Lopez: The Galician goalkeeper lived some actions to the limit, such as two duels with Alberto Moreno and Moi Gómez that were not penalties but were resolved with yellow for the Castellón. He took a meritorious hand from the left-handed winger, he was solvent on top and sure.
Oscar Gil: The Olympic runner-up, who enjoyed a tribute before the start of the match, played a competitive match. Tireless on the side, he was outmatched in defense despite having the help of Embarba. He also won several shares. He had a difficult role with Moreno, Pedraza or Estupiñan later. In attack he had several centers thanks to his excellent physical condition but he lacked precision.
Sergi Gomez: Again the Arenys completed a great match. Notable in the area defense, in covering Óscar Gil and especially with the ball. He found with his long trips to the extremes or to Dimata, a resource that gave Espanyol air. He saved some lost duel, Gómez was on a high note.
Cabrera: Always well placed and profiled, inside the area is a magnet. Hunt all the balls. He stood out for an action in the second half in which he threw himself to the ground inside the small area to avoid a shot from Dia. Safer on the ball by having Darder close by and by moving Dimata long.
Pedrosa: It could only last 45 minutes due to an injury that leaves the coaching staff in suspense waiting to know the result. In that first half he was more restrained in attack although he put a cross on Puado and even finished on goal. In defense he suffered with Gerard and Fotyh.
David López: The midfielder, accompanying Darder, gave the team balance and helped the centrals when they had to retreat. It was difficult for him to speed up the game but he made up for it with his recoveries. He even gave RdT a cross-center goal assist in the first half.
Darder: He returned to the team after being suspended the first day against Osasuna. Their presence was noted. Physically it is just as fine as last year. He gave continuity to the game, linked with the wingers and in defense he is stronger in one against one. He even commanded counterattacks with his driving. It ended up melted.
Nanny Dimata.
Joan M. Bascu
Embarba: The winger had a very good first half in which he was the protagonist on the right side, where he managed to strike with Gil. He had chances, created counterattacks and helped Gil. In the second half he was diluted more, tired, although in the addition he had the chance of the game. His shot, alone, was deflected by Rulli and went to the crossbar.
Handle: Like Gil, he also received a small tribute before the start for his silver in Tokyo 2020. More shy than last year, he stepped onto the area with danger and had a chance to center Pedrosa that he could not adjust his leg. He worked defensively.
Dimata: Participates little in the game. His effort is commendable, when he wins aerial balls and guides them Espanyol finds superiorities. His corpulence causes headaches and some yellowing in the central ones, but then it hardly had an impact.
Raúl de Tomás: The forward was involved defensively, making some other coverage. But the chances he had he could not convert, with less time to execute than in Second. He finished up to four occasions, two of them only before the goalkeeper.
Dídac: Very good 45 minutes from the Mataró side. Safe in defense, where he won more than one duel against Gerard Moreno, and without technical errors with the ball. He collaborated in the defense of the area and participated in the attack, pinning the Villarreal side.
Wu Lei: The forward replaced Dimata, participated in some counterattack actions in which he unloaded on the wing and scored 1-0 in the 94th minute. The problem is that his control was with his hand and it was annulled.
Nico Melamed: The canterano, who left for Puado, tried a shot on goal that went wide and kept Espanyol with rhythm in attack. In defense, he sacrificed himself like the most.
Keidi Bare: He left to hold the center of the field due to the fatigue of David López. He scored the line although he saw a yellow and with the ball rushed into an action and badly executed a deep pass to Embarba.
Morlanes: He recovered a ball, faked, cut and gave out to the free side. Only that gesture has already raised the applause of the RCDE Stadium. He could not contribute much more, but he is already adding minutes.