The parakeets got used to enjoying great triumphs last year at the RCDE Stadium, only being defeated in four games, but in this new stage they began their journey at home with disappointment, beating Espanyol (0-2) by Rayo Vallecano who He waited for his moment to show punch and in turn uncover the offensive difficulties of Diego Martínez's pupils. The goals by Isi in the first half and Ciss in the second set off alarm bells in the Cornellà offices, where a lot of work remains until September 1.
As happened in Balaídos, the locals came out better and convinced of their plan The lack of players in the squad was not an excuse, but rather an incentive to bite into each ball as if it were the last with a pressure as high as it was daring. Iraola's players, accustomed to punishing with those same weapons, were late for disputes and on several occasions the physique of a parakeet footballer paid for it.
Espanyol stole and percussed, braided and locked up a cornered rival who had a hard time making two passes in a row in the initial section. But just as on the first day, everything was cloudy in the area. The best chance in the first half for the locals came from a corner, where Cabrera hit the far post and Sergi Gómez headed wide.
The script of the match, however, changed in three minutes, the time it took for Lejeune to be sent off, who earned the second yellow card for hitting Joselu in the face with his arm. Everything in favor for a Espanyol that did not take advantage of a tailwind of just 13 minutes. Sergi Gómez, an experienced centre-back, was innocent and earned a direct red card with a hit on Camello in a move without the ball. The Catalan let go of his arm unnecessarily, but the striker also sided with him. Figueroa Vázquez, with a gray take from the VAR, did not hesitate.
The expulsion transformed Espanyol, who became frustrated and forgot the good initial half hour. The duel turned into a guerrilla war, with constant protests and stoppages. In that state of excitement, Isi made the first lunge in the 40th minute. The winger was helped by Unai López in a free kick and unleashed a whiplash with a poisoned effect that he hit the post before staying in the net. The Murcian scored the parakeets again, as in the winning goal two years ago in the Second Division.
The Blue and Whites were crying out for a break to slow down and organize some ideas that, however, they did not materialize after the restart. The Ray came out better. Camello warned and Álvaro García, a devil on the left, ended up exposing the Spanish defense. The winger entered the area until he found Ciss totally alone, who signed the sentence at will.
As against Celta, the parakeets needed to be two goals down to react, although this time they couldn't find the goal that would make them believe in a tie, especially because of the post. Edu Expósito, with a shot from outside the area, and in two headers by Puado, who reappeared after injury, the ball hit the woodwork.
The stands, enraged at the start, faded away with the adverse result and came back to life in the final minutes to silence the chants of support for Raúl de Tomás from one of the stadium's goals. Despite the division of opinions, it was clear against Rayo that when it does not arrive with the hand of Diego Martínez, a scorer is needed. And the striker from Madrid, still injured and whose future is still up in the air, is differential in the area.
Spanish: Lecomte; Óscar Gil (Koleosho, min. 77), Sergi Gómez, Cabrera, Oliván; Vinícius Souza, Edu Expósito (Keidi Baré, min. 77); Rubén Sánchez (Javi Puado, min. 64), Sergi Darder, Melamed (Calero, min. 35); and Joselu.
Valley Lightning: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, Fran Garcia; Unai Lopez (Mario Suarez, 84 min), Pathé Ciss; Isi Palace (Salvi, 57 minutes), Trejo (Oscar Valentin, 57 minutes), Alvaro Garcia (Nteka, 84 minutes); and Camel (Falcao, min. 74).
Goals: 0-1: Isi Palazón, min. 30; 0-2: Pathe Ciss, min. 59.
Referee: Jorge Figueroa Vázquez (Andalusian Committee). He showed a yellow card to Óscar Gil (min. 6) and Brian Oliván (45 3) and sent off Sergi Gómez (min. 30) for Espanyol with a direct red card. He showed a yellow card to Stole Dimitrievski (min. 24), Óscar Trejo (min. 36) and Óscar Valentín (min. 74) and sent off Florian Lejeune for a double yellow card (min. 13 and min. 17) for Rayo Vallecano .
Incidents: Match of the second day of LaLiga Santander played at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà de Llobregat before 16,031 spectators.
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