Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the La Liga table to nine points with a 3-1 win over Espanyol on Sunday.
Dani Olmo scored twice in an electric first-half display that also saw Raphinha score an own goal, wrapping up all three points in the opening 30 minutes.
However, Espanyol undoubtedly had the better of the second half. The visitors deservedly pulled a handful of goals back and had a handful of goals ruled out for offside, ensuring no one left the game with a real sense of satisfaction.
How the game developed
Olmo had two early chances to break the deadlock. The summer signing headed home first after Héctor Fort’s cross, before sending a long-range effort onto the gloves of Joan Garcia.
Espanyol did not learn from their early mistakes, however, as Olmo crashed home in the 12th minute. A sensational pass from Lamine Yamal was headed past Garcia by the touch of the woodwork, giving Barcelona a well-deserved advantage.
The second came ten minutes later and, surprisingly, it was the one in Raphinha form who walked away in celebration. Marc Casado found his excellent entry into the area and the Brazilian’s first-time strike on Garcia was executed perfectly.
Against the run, Espanyol thought they had pulled one back soon after, but a VAR check overruled Jofre Carreras for offside, and the visitors’ tough day got even worse when Olmo volleyed home from the edge of the penalty area. area on the half hour to further extend Barcelona’s lead at the break.
Things were a little more sketchy at the start of the second half, when Espanyol saw another goal ruled out for offside after VAR intervened.
Espanyol finally managed to overcome the offside trap in the 63rd minute when Javier Puado intervened at the back post, a goal that had definitely arrived when Barcelona took their collective foot off the gas.
Yamal tried his luck from the range as the The League The leaders looked to regain control of proceedings but their curling effort never seemed to cause Garcia any real problems.
Hansi Flick’s side struggled to get back into their rhythm, prompting a series of frustrated whistles from the home fans. Espanyol had another goal ruled out, although there was no controversy over this one as the ball had clearly gone out of play in the build-up phase.
Indeed, this was a game Barcelona never looked like losing, with the hosts even seeing an own goal ruled out for offside, but Flick will no doubt be keen to remind his players of dangers of letting the level drop even when things. seems to be going well
GK: paint ink – 6/10 – A spectator before having to make a smart stop at the hour mark.
RB: Hector Fort – 7/10 – He didn’t have much defense to do and so he focused his efforts on matching Yamal on offense. He seemed to lose his defensive focus after the break.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – 7/10 – His understanding of the offside trap continues to impress, but constant risks eventually led to an Espanyol goal.
CB: Inigo Martinez – 7/10 – As with Cubarsi, the veteran showed his experience to lead Barcelona’s top line and keep Espanyol frustrated.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 7/10 – He didn’t do everything well going forward, but fortunately he didn’t have to as he was given opportunity after opportunity to make an impact. He picked up the assist for the third goal.
DM: Marc Casado – 9/10 – Absolutely pulled the strings here, including a stunning pass for Raphinha’s goal. Such a dominant performance.
DM: Peter – 7/10 – It kept things going without having to do anything particularly special. Just another composite performance.
RM: Lamine Yamal – 8/10 – What a sensational assist for Olmo’s first goal. He has tormented Espanyol’s defense both with his dribbling and his passing.
AM: Dani Olmo – 9/10 – The central point of every Barcelona attack. The ball seemed to gravitate towards him and that led to two goals in the first half.
LM: Raphinha – 7/10 – Not at his world best, but once again he was too good for his opponents. A delicious finish to double Barcelona’s initial lead.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 6/10 – Most of Barcelona’s best work came behind him, but the Poland international’s energy and movement helped contribute to an electric display from the team. Excellent defensive work.
Substitutes
SUB: FermÃn López (56′ for Olmo) – 5/10
SUB: Frenkie de Jong (56′ for Casado) – 5/10
SUB: Jules Kounde (78′ for Fort) – 6/10
SUB: Ansu Fati (85′ for Raphinha) – N/A
SUB: Gavi (85′ for Pedri) – N/A
Unused substitutes: Wojciech Szczesny (GK), Ander Astralaga (GK), Pablo Torre, Pau Victor, Gerard Martin and Sergi DomÃnguez.
manager
Hansi Flick – 7/10 – He made some bold tactical changes that certainly paid off, but the boss will not be happy with the way his side relaxed in the second half.
