Espanyol and FC Barcelona was on Saturday evening in the fire for the first time after the Spanish winter break, and the former had lately made a significant change.
Pablo Machín had been replaced by Abelardo, and the former Alavés-head made his debut for Espanyol against the new stadium, which laid the way past the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat in today's late La Liga showdown.
And Abelardo could see his troops get a terrific start.
After 23. minutes got David Lopez with the head guided a free-kick from Marc Roca from Barcelona-cage, as in tonight's occasion was guarded by Neto, and he, nothing could make up at the end. Espanyol was in front with 1-0.
Towards the end of half-time had both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez a couple of reasonable chances, but Abelardo and co. led at the break, and Ernesto control fraud personnel had See also: Barca slump to the very end of the gravity something to work with in the course of the last 45 minutes.
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Photo: Pau Barrena/Ritzau Scanpix
For the second half start was Ivan Rakitic taken out for the benefit of Arturo Vidal, who went into the central midfield, and he could, after 50 minutes see Luis Suarez will bring balance in the financial statements.
Jordi Alba struck an early post, and the experienced uruguayner put the foot on the ball. Diego Lopez could just not reach down to the ball, and then it was 1-1.
And there was even more to rejoice for udeholdets fans.
59 minutes, when Suarez with the outside beat a sharp speech against the bagstolpen, where Arturo Vidal was free and could head his sixth goal of the season in the net. The showdown was suddenly turned on its head.
For the home team, it could have been even worse in the 65. minute, when Suarez abused a great option for a terrific presentation by Lionel Messi.
the Away team had put itself on the draw, but Espanyol were given a lifeline after 75 minutes, where Frenkie de Jong stopped a promising counterattack and had to collect his second yellow card. The last fifteen minutes of the time were the hosts, so a man in the majority.
And it ended up being expensive for Barcelona.
In the 74. minute, Wu Lei has been substituted, and after 88 minutes found the chinese place in the opponent's propane. With a dry as dust clearance at the far post, he got passed Neto, and then it was all right again.
2-2, however, was also the post, as referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande whistled by, and Barcelona therefore take the first place in La Liga back from Real Madrid. But it is now only on a better goal difference.
Espanyol is still last and have 11 points after 19 matches.
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