Another Barcelona Derby, Another Routine Day for Barça
Well, ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round because we’ve got another tale of triumph from the bustling streets of Barcelona, where FC Barcelona danced around RCD Espanyol like a matador teasing an embarrassed bull. Final score? 3-1. Though let’s be honest, it felt like a mime act—plenty of noise, but not a lot of real competition!
The Match Day: A Grand Stage
This past Sunday, the Catalan giants strutted into Montjuïc, and judging by their performance, they were clearly on a mission—an eleven-victory-in-twelve-days mission, to be precise! Dani Olmo, who returned to the starting lineup hotter than a jalapeño on a summer’s day, scored twice. And let’s not forget captain Raphinha, who, clearly in a generous mood, chipped in with a goal of his own. Poor Espanyol. They barely managed to register even a squeak of a response.
A Celebration and a Solemn Moment
Before kick-off, Aitana Bonmatí got her moment in the sun, flaunting her shiny Ballon d’Or like a kid with a new toy. Let’s not forget the minute of silence for the DANA victims in Valencia and Albacete; a moment of respect that, refreshingly, overshadowed the usual ego-fest.
Firing off Goals Like a Machine Gun
Right from the off, Barça flexed their muscles, boasted an astonishing 80% possession in the early minutes, and it didn’t take long for Olmo to open his account. It was a classic cross, executed by young Lamine Yamal that left Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia wondering if he’d accidentally walked onto a football field or a shooting gallery. Then, just like that, two goals later, Olmo had netted another, solidifying the score to a comfortable 3-0 before half-time.
Espanyol: The Underwhelming Little Brother
Espanyol, bless them, seemed like a hard-core fan who’s lost their way and just can’t find the edge of the ground. After half-time, instead of mounting a comeback, they acted more like a team trying to avoid an embarrassing daughter at a family wedding. There were moments of hope, particularly when captain Javi Puado finally broke through to score. But by that point, “too little, too late” might as well have been hanging on a banner in the stands.
The Deep Dive: Oh, the Drama!
Espanyol’s near-misses felt like a comedian hoping for laughs but only receiving crickets. A couple of goals were flagged offside as if the linesmen were auditioning for *Dancing with the Stars*. But there was a flicker of life in the second half as they finally broke their five-game scoring drought. Cue the violins, because it was only temporary joy—Barça, cruising and grooving, kept their foot firmly on the pedal. They played like the lion that knows it has the entire jungle at its mercy.
The Final Whistle: A Routine Win
As the clock ticked down, Barça maintained their classy composure, with a bench that felt like a playground for potential superstars waiting for their turn—Gavi and Ansu Fati almost made it a riot of goals at the end. However, again, the offside flag waved like it was at a festival, and any thought of a fourth goal evaporated.
Conclusion: Barça Strikes Again
In conclusion, for FC Barcelona, it was another day at the office, a lovely stroll in the park while their rivals continued to drown in a pool of missed opportunities. So, if you’re an Espanyol fan, perhaps it’s time to invest in some binoculars, so you can catch up with Barça’s scoring. For everyone else? Well, let’s face it, when it comes to local derbies, FC Barcelona’s charm might just put a smile on your face—even if it’s at Espanyol’s expense!
What’s Next?
As they say in showbiz, “the show must go on.” And I, for one, can’t wait for the next act in this riveting La Liga saga. Until then, keep your popcorn ready for the next game!
He FC Barcelona has defeated the RCD Espanyol (3-1) in the Barcelona derby of the 12th day of LaLiga EA Sports, played this Sunday in Montjuic. The leader thus has eleven victories in twelve days, an almost immaculate record, and with astonishing scoring effectiveness, although on this occasion it only took one half of the game to resolve it.
Dani Olmoon his return to ownership, was the great protagonist with a double and the captain Raphinha supported him in his best start to the season. The captain of Espanyol, Javi Puado, also did the honor for the ‘parakeets’. Before the start Aitana Bonmatí offered the fans his Ballon d’Or y Lamine Yamal his Kopa Trophy, presented at the same gala. And a minute of silence was observed, as announced, for the DANA victims in Valencia and Albacete.
Barça began to dominate overwhelmingly, with two clear chances in less than 10 minutes in which they managed to accumulate 80% possession. Dani Olmowhich was new in the eleven, tried it with a header from a pass from Lamine Yamal and then this in his classic play, at the hands of Joan Garcia.
The connection between the two worked after 12 minutes with great center with the outside of the foot of the Kopa 2024 Trophy, which Olmo finished off first anticipating his score. Espanyol barely gave any hint of a reaction, only an attempt at Vaseline Javi Puado before a advance Iñaki Peñawho went high and was also offside. The ‘perico’ captain tried again later with a volley a little closer to the post and in a legal position, but with the same luck.
Espanyol has suffered so far this season from having many offensive difficulties, with up to five games without scoring. The complete opposite of a Barça that seems to have a marriage with the goal. And in terms of marriages, in the 23rd minute he appeared Marc Casadó to send a cross that Raphinha could not miss. Jofre couldn’t miss it either minutes later with a pass from the right by Omar El Hilali, but the Spanish full-back was offside at the start of the play; The ‘perico’ painting wasn’t even lucky in that.
Because one minute into the half hour of the match, Barça’s third arrived. From a possible 2-1 that could have added some suspense to the match, to the 3-0 that ended it a third of the way through. Dani Olmo took an unappealable right hand from the front and it was his second of the afternoon (minute 31). The box of Hansi Flick He went to his appointment with statistics, with an average of three goals per game. More bad news for Espanyol to top it off, Komboula’s injury shortly after, who was replaced by Sergi Gómez.
Three goals in 30 minutes and that’s it
It could be said that the best news for Espanyol in the first half was the end, because not even with the 50 minutes that lasted with the extension was the team able to score. Manolo Gonzalezand instead Barça continued looking for fourth.
At the restart we saw a blue and white team more concerned about not conceding a scandalous win than about making cuts. However, he had the first clear shot of the second half in a direct free kick that missed Tejero by centimeters. Barça didn’t seem uncomfortable playing patiently either, since they had a very comfortable 3-0 in their favor. Flick took over, starting with Olmo and Casadó to introduce Fermin Lopez and Frenkie De Jong.
Around the hour mark, Espanyol once again celebrated a goal, the work of Weaver to pass Jofrebut he was offside at the time of the cross that Kral sent him. It was a carbon copy of the one canceled in the first part. Two minutes later the captain had Puado the best, in the correct position, but Iñaki Peña He held up well in hand-to-hand combat. They were the best minutes of an Espanyol that tried to get back into the game. González seemed to believe in his possibilities and brought on Walid Cheddira and Justin Smith.
Espanyol believes it
Jofre learned his lesson and enabled full-back Carlos Romero in the correct position, so that he could put it to him. Javi Puado arriving at the far post and, this time, beating Peña cross shot (minute 64). Some murmuring was heard in Montjuic, concerned about seeing the Catalans relax a bit. At the moment he tried it from the front Robert Lewandowski to calm down Espanyol, but just like what happened in the first half, it was stopped by García, who minutes later did the same with another from Lamine Yamal.
But you could say that Barça was suffering. Espanyol, who already claimed a penalty prior to the first of the disallowed goals, again asked for a handball from Cubarsi in the second half. and saw a third goal disallowed by Puadobecause Jofre sent his assist when the ball had already gone out. All three were well cancelled, but the fact that they ended in a goal was a warning for the eternal rivals. There was no room for trust.
This seemed to be understood by Flick, who gave rest to Jules Koundé of initiation to leave ownership to Hector Fortbut in the last third of the game he once again used the French winger, who had been indispensable in the previous games. Furthermore, it was on that wing, Espanyol’s left, where most of the visitor’s danger came through Jofre’s boots.
Manolo González responded and renewed the two sides instead of one, with Oliván on the left and Ünüvar on the right. Close to the expiration of the regulatory time, they came out Gavi and Ansu Fatiwho little by little are gaining minutes and the second one even scored, but it was disallowed for offside. Barça let the clock run and complied.
Barcelona vs Espanyol | La Liga
D finally score the much-anticipated goal for Espanyol in the 67th minute, cutting the deficit to 3-1. The celebration among the fans was euphoric, a small glimmer of hope amidst an otherwise pale performance. Yet, it was clear that the damage had been done, and one goal alone wouldn’t be enough to change the tide of the match.
The last quarter of the game saw Barcelona now playing with a sense of confidence that only a commanding lead can inspire. They controlled the ball with intricate passing and a calmness that frustrated Espanyol’s attempts to gain momentum. Substitutes Gavi and Ansu Fati were introduced, and they kept the pressure on the opposition, almost extending the lead further but failing to break through the Espanyol defense again.
the referee blew the final whistle, sealing Espanyol’s fate as they faced the reality of a 3-1 defeat. While they showcased some fight, the overall disconnect—both in attack and defense—highlighted the challenge they face this season.
**Final Reflection:** Barcelona remains a force in La Liga, showing their relentless pursuit of excellence. Meanwhile, Espanyol’s issues are indicative of a struggling squad that needs to regroup and find a solution if they hope to carve out a better path in the league. As both teams move forward, the question looms: can Espanyol find a way to transform potential into performance and avoid sinking further into the relegation battle? Only time will tell.
