Robert Lewandowski's match like this in La Liga this season is a rarity. The Polish striker fired only two shots on goal – and from a distance, but they were well defended by Juan Garcia, the goalkeeper who has the most interventions in La Liga. What's more – Lewandowski he didn't have any 100 percent. the opportunity to score his 15th goal this season in the Spanish league.
Two quarters of an hour and FC Barcelona decides the matter
FC Barcelona players decided the match after just two quarters of an hour. In the 12th minute, Lamine Yamal made a beautiful cross with the outside of his foot into the penalty area from the right, and Dani Olmo escaped the defender and hit the net with a strong shot from eight meters from the crossbar. Ten minutes later, Marc Casado made an even nicer assist from deep in the field. He crossed the ball to Raphina, who passed the outgoing goalkeeper from eleven meters. It was the seventh goal for the Brazilian this season and he moved up to the position of second most effective scorer (Ayoze Perez from Villarreal has the same number of goals).
In the 31st minute it was already 3-0. The hosts played a team action, Alejandro Balde passed to Olmo, who hit the net with a precise shot from 18 meters. There was a slight ricochet on this hit. This is Olmo's fifth goal this season in La Liga.
Robert Lewandowski did not have 100% chances to score a goal in the first half. The Pole took a nice shot from 20 meters, but it was brilliantly saved by Joan Garcia.
In the second half, the hosts played poorly. They did not increase the pace, they carried out their attacks slowly. Not only that, they allowed themselves two goals, but only one was allowed (by Puado).
– Barcelona in the second half she turned off all applications and saved her strength. However, you can't always look beautiful and perfect – said Eleven Sports commentators.
FC Barcelona After this victory, he is nine points ahead of the runner-up and defending champion – Real Madrid. Espanyol, with 10 points, is only in 17th place, just above the relegation zone.
In the next round, on November 10 (9 p.m.), FC Barcelona will play away against Real Sociedad. On Wednesday (9 p.m.) he will play in the Champions League – in Belgrade against Red Star.
FC Barcelona – Espanyol 3:1 (3:0)
- Goals: Olmo two (12th, 31st), Raphinha (23rd) – Puado (63rd).
- FC Barcelona: Pena – Fort (78. Kounde), Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde – Casado (56. de Jong), Pedri (85. Gavi) – Yamal, Olmo (56. Lopez), Raphinha (85. Fati) – Lewandowski .
- Espanyol: Garcia – El Hilali (78. Unuvar), Kumbulla (40. Gomez), Cabrera, Romero (78. Olivan) – Tejero, Kral, Bauza WITH (61. Smith), Aguado (61. Cheddira WITH) – Puado, Jofre WITH.