With 21 days to go before the League returns with the expected derby against Barça, Espanyol dressed again in short in a friendly against Torino held in Murcia in which the Blue and Whites conceded a narrow defeat. The Russian Miranchuk broke the tie thanks to a good left foot from the front in a counterattack during the first half. Espanyol deserved better luck as, beyond the negative result, they left with positive feelings due to their ability to compete and to generate multiple chances.
The objective at this point in the season was to accumulate minutes of competition after a long inactivity, which is why Martínez opted for the most recognizable eleven possible with the absence of Darder due to a viral process, Puado due to physical discomfort, and Braithwaite, a substitute having accumulated few workouts.
From the beginning, Espanyol was more courageous, with their usual high pressure and with the ability to play in the rival field, although the chances were conspicuous by their absence. Nor was Torino able to intimidate Álvaro Fernández, yesterday's starter, at the start, although when he arrived at the blue and white area he did so with great effectiveness.
The goal came on the only occasion for the Italians in the first half. Russia's Aleksei Miranchuk took advantage of a midfield steal to score with an elegant left-footed shot. The best chance for the parrots was a powerful shot from inside the area by Joselu that hit the crossbar.
In the second half, the game opened up and although Espanyol never gave up the tie, the Italians arrived more and better. Tony Sanabria, the former Barça B and Betis player, had the clearest chance with a shot that went just wide. In the parakeet team it was Joselu, once again, the one who was able to equalize on a free-kick from the front. His kick missed by inches. Despite the many changes, Espanyol managed to harass their rival in a great final. Cabrera had the clearest shots, but Berisha, the Turin goalkeeper, became the protagonist with his fantastic performances.
0 - Spanish: Alvaro Fernandez; Oscar Gil, Sergi Gomez, Cabrera, Oliván; Vini Souza, Bare; Lazo, Edu Expósito, Nico Melamed and Joselu. They also played: Joan García, Aleix Vidal, Calero, Dani Gómez, Simo, Abde, Roger and Braithwaite.
1 - Torino: Berisha; Zima, Schuurs, Buongiorno; Bayeye, Ricci, Ilkhan, Lazarus; Miranchuk, Karamoh and Sanabria. Also played: Djidji, Adopo, Caccavo, Antolini, Wade, Garbett, Seck, N'Guessan, Gineitis, Dembele, Gemello.
Goals: 0-1, min.39: Miranchuk.
Referee: Campos Salinas (Murcian Committee). He admonished Lazaro (min.40), Roger (min.81) and Caccavo (min.90).
Incidents: friendly match played at the Pinatar Arena (Murcia).
