Espanyol’s defensive immolation in 180 minutes

Until two weeks ago, the Spanish was a solid team, a toothache for the rivals who had to make an effort, with pick and shovel, to score a goal against Diego López. Only Sevilla, Elche, Betis, Atlético and Getafe they had been able to score two goals, and two of those matches the blue and white came to tie. It was the greatest virtue of Vicente Moreno’s team. The stops of the Galician meta, the solvency of the centrals in the lateral centers and the commitment of the footballers in the fold.

But in 180 minutes those flowers were blown up. Espanyol lost its order and its discipline, its activation. First against Levante, a match that ended up winning in madness (4-3) and then against and Built that passed over the parakeet team. “We have been very far from the team that we are,” said Vicente Moreno, clearly in the press room, more self-critical than usual away from the RCDE Stadium.

The six goals correspond to two concrete patterns. The first of them, the mistakes structural of the Spanish in his lead Y midfield, which allow opposing players to reach advantageous situations to face the defensive line. It happened in the three goals against Levante: the first and the second, identical, but on the opposite sides, when the defense runs backwards already Aleix Vidal Y Pedrosa, sides, nobody offers them a help. In the third goal, counterattack, again the granota Morales it was faster than the blue and white rear that did not retract in time.

Before him Celtic, defensive passivity was evident. Away from home, Espanyol was a thick team with the ball, who played at the mercy of the rival, cautious until they ended up receiving the 1-0. But in Sweep a unheard of disconnection. Structural again. The attackers did not press, the midfielders left space behind them and the line of four was once again overcome. From Miguelón to Pedrosa, passing through Sergi Gómez and Leandro Cabrera what were left pictured in the first much de Santi Mina.

In both games, the Blue and Whites have given symptoms of weakness unexpected, in which Vicente Moreno has been shaking the lineup taking into account the few changes he usually makes. Miguel Llambrich has returned to the ownership, while Keidi Bare, with discomfort, has not participated or Adrián Embarba has been a substitute for the first time this season. Regardless of the odyssey away from home, Espanyol must regain that virtue, otherwise they could become a vulnerable team.