Spain adds epic to the Barcelona party
Dani Olmo, at the last minute, gave the victory to the Spanish team in the friendly against Albania
MADRID, 26 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish team had to wait until the last minute to beat Albania (2-1) in the friendly match played this Saturday at the RCDE Stadium, which experienced a real party -with a full house- thanks to late goals from Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo, the latter the great winner of the night in Cornellà.
Luis Enrique’s team had brilliant phases, they dominated with their usual authority but were unable to find the key to the goal until the final stretch of the game. His rival endured – with some fright – the showers of Spain and dreamed for five minutes of scratching a tie, which would be the first in history between the two teams.
Eight times the Spanish and Albanians have faced each other with eight victories for ‘la Roja’, although this Saturday’s was more suffered than desired, especially because Ferran Torres could have scored much earlier than even Pedri did with several very loose from the front. That was the letter of introduction of a more comfortable selection in the opposite field than defending without the ball.
Barcelona enjoyed as few times 18 years after the national team in a festive atmosphere, with chants in favor of ‘Spain and Catalonia’, in addition to massive support for the coach Luis Enrique, who lived the game as if it were not a friendly preparation for the World Cup next winter. He wanted victory and he got it.
Spain did not slow down in the second half and started more daring with two chances from Ferran Torres. The first was a Chilean that went over the crossbar and the second, an exquisite backheel that was stopped by Berisha almost unintentionally. The Albanian goalkeeper was ‘guilty’ that the goalless draw persisted on the scoreboard.
However, the Torino goalkeeper was unable to prevent Ferran Torres – again the culé – from scoring the 1-0 after a great pass from Yéremi Pino. The Villarreal player, who had taken over from Morata, filtered a magnificent ball and the brand-new Barcelona player crossed with great class to the back of the net, relieving the bench and the Cornellà stands.
With the stadium at its peak chanting for the internationals, the draw came after an unfortunate mix-up between Pau Torres and David Raya. The central defender from Castellón wanted to give in to the Brentford goalkeeper – making his debut this Saturday – but Uzuni appeared by surprise, who put his face on and the rebound went directly to the goal. The goal silenced Barcelona for a few moments.
Spain went out of their way to give back to the public what they had received and finally found their prize in the 90th minute, after an action by Jordi Alba down the left side that ended in Dani Olmo’s boots. The one from Leipzig put her in the squad emulating the epic of Georgia on the way to the World Cup. A deserved award that -now yes- fastened the party at the RCDE Stadium.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: SPAIN, 2 – ALBANIA, 1 (0-0, at halftime).
–ALIGNMENTS.
SPAIN: Stripe; Carvajal (Azpilicueta, min.72), Eric García, Pau Torres, Marcos Alonso (Jordi Alba, min.64); Rodri, Pedri, Gavi (Dani Olmo, min. 64); Sarabia (Soler, min.64), Ferran Torres and Morata (Yéremi Pino, min.72).
ALBANIA: Berisha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Kumbulla, Djimsiti, Balliu (Roshi, min.84); Laci (Asllani, min.78), Gjasula (Ramadani, min.61); Keidi Bare, Cikalleshi (Uzuni, min.61) y Broja (Manaj, min.84).
–GOALS:
1-0, min.75, Ferran Torres.
1-1, min.85, Uzuni.
2-1, min.90, Dani Olmo.
–REFEREE: Trustin Farrugia Cann (MAL). He yellow carded Djimsiti (min.44) in Albania.
–STADIUM: RCDE Stadium in Barcelona. Full.