Espanyol, a point between shadows

Be unable. Espanyol is still winless in 2022. The point against Barcelona and against Sevilla would have been hopeful results in another contextbut, despite the efforts of Vicente Moreno’s team, they seem insufficient to detach themselves from that darkness that lurks below, that shadow that is still far away but is appreciated. The Blue and Whites were once again below by not defending well a center action from the end (0-1) and then equalized and were able to come back (1-1) against Sevilla with ten who defended himself with the trade of a great.

Sentence. And great was also, again, the parakeet team’s defensive wound. Of the 20 goals that Espanyol had conceded since that game against Real Sociedad in which they last kept a clean sheet, five of them had come after a cross from the side to the far post. And now there are six. Óscar Gil did not force Papu Gómez, who crossed comfortably. Between Cabrera and Diego López they failed to defend Rafa Mir. Espanyol, accustomed to defending in their own field, bleeds to death in these actions and has lost that forcefulness that characterized them, especially that of their central defenders.

Atmosphere. And it all unfolded on a spring afternoon. The funnel at the Splau roundabout ventured a RCDE Stadium in their best clothes. During the week, up to 7,200 tickets had been sold, a total of 25,000 spectators waiting for the team to wake up. Although, unfortunately, the misfortune continued. The acquired mattress begins to be a simple water bed, waiting to win that game that will restore tranquility and scare away the shadows.

‘Street football’. Who does not have shadows, but lights, is Darder, that genius who plays soccer with intuition and technique, like any talented player on the street. After scoring and assisting RdT in the derby, Artà’s team was once again an offensive system in itself, and the 1-1 lead bears his signature from top to bottom. He started the play, found Puado between the lines, and traced a surprise uncheck at the near post that Óscar Gil found. His header would have been signed by RdT or Rafa Mir. Espanyol should be congratulated for having the midfielder, light in the dark always.

The opportunity. Koundé’s action also responded to a street reaction from the center-back, as happened in the match against Barcelona when he was sent off after throwing the ball at Jordi Alba’s body. The sevillista could not be controlled, leaving his team with ten, although the last 15 minutes did not change the scenery. The changes did not help Espanyol, the substitutes did not contribute what was expected, so Espanyol said goodbye with a 1-1 that does not get them out of poor either waiting for that capital victory. The sensations of the team seem to have recovered, but the points are pressing before the streak extends until March. Winter is being harsh at Espanyol.