RCD Espanyol - Athletic Club

Athletic Club lost 1-0 against Espanyol. Luis García, from a non-existent penalty in the 70th minute, scored the only goal. Our team tried to bring about a positive result and the most logical thing would have been if the match had ended in a draw, but one, debatable to say the least, decision made by the referee during the encounter allowed the locals to get the three golden points in their race to escape from the relegation zone.

During the first half Espanyol demonstrated with their game especially at the beginning that they had quality and no longer relied on foul kicks. The minutes ticked away agreeably for Athletic, immersed in a week of intense emotions as we all know only too well, who got into the match. Despite everything, neither team had any clear goal-scoring opportunities before the interval and only the uncertainty of the scoreboard and other match results were able to maintain the tension in Montjuic.

More movement, but not in excess, this could best describe the second half. Luis García had the first goal-scoring opportunity when finishing off a line shot in the 49th minute, but Iraizoz reacted well with a good save. Just as in the first half, Athletic had the initiative, however, this almost always came to nothing in the rival goal area, except for a Llorente header in the 52nd minute, which was caught easily by Kameni just like all the other headers which were directed towards the three goalposts.

Toquero stepped in for Ion Vélez, Coro for Nené and, in the 63rd minute Etxeita was sent in to replace Iraola who had injured his ankle, and who also received his fifth yellow card and, therefore, won’t play in next weekend’s game. Gurpegi was sent to cover the right wing and Etxeita took over in the mid-field area.

Espanyol, especially after having found out about Sporting’s second goal, lifted their game, although they did not pose any real threat. They didn’t need to, because in the 70th minute our unlucky streak with the referees was demonstrated once again. To explain this, there are experts and journalists everywhere who can make us see the light. The light seen by those who analyse saw that Coro had jumped into the pool without a cap. Just as well only our honour was at stake and the three points, or the draw, the latter wasn’t going to change things for us anyway.

Luis García made it 1-0 from a penalty kick and in the twenty minutes that were to follow Athletic Club tried hard, with Etxeberria on field to take Balenziaga’s place, but all in vain, there weren’t exactly any sparks flying in the air. Now, with only two matches left to the League and the objectives having already been met the only thing we need to do is strive to give our fans the farewell they deserve, in order to do so we’ll have to beat Atlético de Madrid at San Mamés.