2023-05-14 22:49:55
- TECHNICAL SHEET OF THE MATCH
- Spanish: Pacheco; Óscar Gil, Sergi Gómez (Puado, 46′), César Montes, Cabrera, Brian Oliván (Luka Koleosho, 84′); Denis Suárez (Calero, 46′), Darder, Melamed (Expósito, 87′); Braithwaite (Pedrosa, 55′) and Joselu. Coach: Luis García
- Barça: Ter Stegen; Koundé, Araujo (Alba, 62′), Christensen (Marcos Alonso, 73′), Bucket; Busquets, De Jong, Pedri (Kessie, 89′); Gavi (Ansu Fati, 73′), Raphinha (Dembélé, 62′) and Lewandowski. Coach: Xavi Hernandez
- Goals: 0-1 Lewandowski (10′), 0-2 Balde (20′), 0-3 Lewandowski (40′), 0-4 Koundé (53′), 1-4 Puado (74′), 2-4 Joselu (92′)
- Referee: De Burgos Bengoetxea (Basque Committee)
- Yellow cards: Koundé (2′), Darder (38′), Gavi (38′), Alba (82′)
- Red cards: None
- Stadium: RCDE Stadium, 27,360 spectators
La Liga returns to Blaugrana four years later. Real blow of authority by Barça, who ran over Espanyol (2-4) in a derby without history that ended up marred by the invasion of the pitch by several hundred local supporters who forced the police to protect the players blaugranas, who had celebrated the title with a circle in the central circle. The worst possible ending to a night that could end up costing Espanyol very dear, both at a sporting and institutional level.
Barça, who extended the party in Canaletes, did not let the first one pass match ball to proclaim himself champion with four days left. There was no relaxation in the Barça team at any time. Quite the opposite: he got a round match. Barça showed that they were grateful for the days off that their coach had given them the previous week and played with pleasure. Barça, who enjoyed themselves bravely in the field of their hometown rival, scored a thrashing that will be remembered for years by both sides. Torture for the parakeets in front of the worst opponent and at the worst possible time. In Cornellà-El Prat, where the curse is spreading for the white-and-blues in the League, Xavi Hernández’s team signed one of the most interesting games of the season. Up front, an inoperative, imprecise and powerless Spaniard not only didn’t know how to read the game, but he didn’t even manage to match the intensity or pace of the visitors’ ball.
The white-and-blues chose the worst possible moment to collapse football-wise and mentally. Their football deficiencies continue to weigh too heavily on a team that was much inferior yesterday. Barça knew how to exploit them to perfection. It was of little use that Luis García proposed three central players again, because defensively Espanyol were a piece of cake. In attack he was no better: almost always rushed and imprecise, unable to make three consecutive passes with meaning. Darder and Denis asked their companions to calm down, but they ended up getting sick of chasing shadows.
All the little hope vanished in just ten minutes, the time it took Balde to get the back of Óscar Gil and provide a delicious assist to Lewandowski. The Barcelona full-back, who played more as a winger than a defender, found a freeway in his lane. Seu, in fact, was the second goal, born from a gift from Pedri, where he once again won the game for Gil. The third was made on the right side, with Raphinha easily winning the position from Brian Gil and opening the doors for Lewandowski to fatten his locker. The Pole has already scored 21 goals in the League, leaving him four goals clear of Benzema in the fight for Pitxi. The third Blaugrana goal allowed Cornellà-El Prat to start to empty minutes before De Burgos Bengoetxea sent both teams to the dressing rooms.
Ter Stegen and Koundé join the party
At no time did Espanyol show the slightest reaction that would lead to thinking of a comeback attempt. Braithwaite was able to face Ter Stegen in added time, but the German goalkeeper signed up for the Blaugrana party, remembering why he is on his way to signing a real record season. The helplessness of those who stayed to see the second half turned into chants against the Spanish management, especially towards its owner and president, Chen Yansheng, who was asked to resign. The tears shed by some supporters said it all. Spanishism experienced a real torture.
The great drama for Espanyol was not losing the derby, a defeat that leaves them four points from salvation with 12 left to play, but immolating themselves in a match in which the sensations do not encourage us to think that this team he will be able to turn this situation around in the four remaining days. The second half began with two new upsets for the white-and-blues, the fourth Blaugrana goal, scored by Koundé, and Braithwaite’s injury. Espanyol only let themselves go in attack with the derby already settled, taking advantage of the hole left by Araujo whom Xavi dosed. Puado and Joselu signed the goals of honor. The white-and-blue reaction, however, came too late.
Barça is smiling again, after winning the first League without Messi in this 21st century and the first as coach of a Xavi Hernández who had won nine as a player. Espanyol, who will have to wait for the consequences of yesterday’s incidents, will have to keep rowing against the current in order to avoid the sixth relegation to Segona.
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