Espanyol is determined not to give up no matter what misfortunes lie ahead. The white-and-blues have added, against Osasuna (1-1), a point that falls short for all the merits they have had to row against the current and overcome all kinds of obstacles. To the already known absences of the suspended Vinícius and Óscar Gil, a few hours before the game, Joselu’s muscle injury has been added, and he will be out of action for two to three weeks.
As if that wasn’t enough, the vertical column of the white-and-blues has suffered another lack of weight: a collision between César Montes and Budimir has forced the Mexican centre-back, who has been starving, to ask for the change shortly afterwards of the half hour of the game. Osasuna’s Croatian striker took advantage of his absence to put Navarre ahead a few minutes later. His goal, of course, should not have gone up on the scoreboard, because Chimy Ávila had previously pushed Pierre-Gabriel in a jump. A clear foul that everyone but Gil Manzano has seen. The action, in fact, was quite similar to the goal disallowed due to Benzema’s previous foul in Real Madrid – Valencia last Thursday. This time, however, the VAR did not even intervene to warn the main referee to review the action.
Here Gil Manzano began a recital that followed a few seconds later, with an incomprehensible double expulsion. Pierre-Gabriel and Abde had a verbal argument after a clean dispute over a ball and the referee decided to show both of them the second yellow. An excessive punishment that has forced Espanyol to reorganize based on the absence of the French full-back, who had a stellar debut in a match where he was one of Espanyol’s most active players. And that in front has had a trial by fire: to stop the always cheeky Abde, whom Osasuna has been constantly looking for. Pierre-Gabriel, however, contained him well enough, marking him in the opponent’s field and correcting behind whenever he was looking to tickle his back.
The Navarrese have gone to the break with an advantage despite not being better in an open game that has not had a clear dominator at any time. The clearest chances, of course, have been from Espanyol. Braithwaite and Puado warned of danger in two corners, but Espanyol missed Joselu, who aside from goals always helps the whole team to progress, becoming the main offensive point of reference. The white-and-blues have not been discouraged despite the cluster of misfortunes and have left the dressing room ready to turn the game around. At the start of the restart, Melamed and Braithwaite forced Aitor to make two good interventions. The third attempt was the good one: the Dane hunted down a dead ball in the area and turned it into the equaliser.
With the game balanced again, Diego Martínez was bold and looked for the second giving entrance to two of the latest signings, Denis Suárez and Gragera. The Galician, who has returned to feeling like a footballer after nine months away from the pitch, has left some quality technical details that prove he has not lost any talent. Espanyol, too tired in the final stretch, did not have legs for more. The second round begins with the drop to two points.