Match Report: Sunday 13/01/2007 22:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 18
RCD ESPANYOL - FC BARCELONA 3:1 (1:0)

Lluis Companys (Estadi Olimpic), Barcelona – Attendance: 35.000
Referee: Arturo Daudén Ibánez


Goles:

1-0 Luis Garcia (31´)
1-1 Saviola (60´)

2-1 Tamudo (65´)
3-1 Rufete (92´)


Espanyol (4-4-2): Kameni - Velasco (Sergio Sanchez 60´), Torrejon, Jarque, Chica - Rufete, Moises Hurtado, De la Pena (Jonatas 90´), Riera - Luis Garcia, Tamudo (Pandiani 67´) - Manager: Ernesto Valverde


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Belletti, Marquez, Puyol, Gio - Edmilson, Iniesta (Oleguer 85´), Xavi - Giuly (Saviola 46´), Gudjohnsen (Motta 63´), Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Match Preview:

Espanyol win the derby against reigning Champions FC Barcelona for the first time since 2001. Since 2001 Barca won 8 and drew 1 in the last 9 matches. Espanyol stunned Barcelona 3-1 in the city derby match on Saturday to dent the title hopes of the reigning Spanish champions.
Former Barca player Luis Garcia (31´ min.) opened the scoring for Espanyol only for striker Javier Saviola (60´ min.) to equalise for the champions. However, further goals from Espanyol Raul Tamudo (65´ min.) and Rufete (92´ min.) sealed the win for "Los Pericos". FC Barcelona missed the chance to go top of the Primera Liga and pile pressure on FC Sevilla who look to have an easier home match against RCD Mallorca. Also Real Madrid, who play Real Zaroza today, could overtake FC Barcelona today with a win.


FC Barcelona started very well into the classy game and came very close to opening the scoring, when Ronaldinho's free-kick hit the crossbar from approx. 25 m. It looked as Espanyol´s Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni just gave the ball a slight final touch to deflecet it onto the crossbar.

But Espanyol responded very well and was always dangerous on the counter attack. While FC Barcelona was controlling the midfield with about 60% of ball possession, it was former Barca star "Little Buddha" Ivan de la Pena, who several times opened the Barca defence with some classy passes. Espanyol finally made the breakthrough after 31 minutes when Luis Garcia scored Espanyol´s lead after great work by captain Raul Tamudo down the left flank.
Just minutes later it was Tamudo again who went through the Barca defence but his sharp cross was missed by Rufete just by a split second when he slid into the goalarea.


At half time, FC Barcelona´s coach Frank Rijkaard, brought on argentine international Javier Saviola who paid back the trust in him by equalizing with a great goal. The "Conejo" Saviola touched the ball, went around Espanyol youngster Francisco Chica before firing home a fantastic shot past Kameni from outside the penalty box.


Who thought, that Barca now would take the command and Espanyol would pay for their hard fought work and physical efforts in the first hour of the match, was wrong. Espanyol were even sooner taken the lead again than anybody had expected. Substitute defender Sergio Sanchez had a good run over the right wing and crossed the ball precisely on the head of Raul Tamudo, who had no problem to head home while being totally unmarked and left deserted by Barca defender Juliano Belletti.


While Barca was pressing forward for the equalizer and Ronaldinho came very close when his shot just went wide at the far post after a typical Ronnie move. Espanyol should have sealed the victory when Walter Pandiani shot just wide and his downwards header hit the crossbar.


It was an open and fast match but finally it was Rufete´s close range strike in injury time that finnished the game off.


My Comment:

This was probably the most exciting derby since a long time. Up to the final wistle, it was a high quality, classy and speedy derby between Espanyol and Barca. Espanyol deserved to win. They had more and better chances, while Barca had most of the possession. But I have to say that Espanyol was much more creative, inspired by a great performance of former Barca player Ivan de la Pena (the little Buddha). Espanyol looked always dangerous and were unlocking the Barca defence over the wings.


It was the second defeat this season and Barca only got 2 out of 9 points from the last 3 matches. The only good thing is that our opponents do not take too much advantage of it and are not running away.
FC Barcelona is always struggling at this part of the season, but we also have some good news: Samuel Eto´o will start his individual training on Monday. Zambrotta and Deco are back for the next match from injuries. Thuram and Messi are also expected back soon.


We will have a better squad, when the important part of the season starts. I still believe, we will win both, the Spanish Campionship and the European Cup. It will probably be harder than last year, which just makes it more exciting.


Last night, the Barca players did not fulfil the expectations and ipersonal, individual mistakes were made on all three occassions, when Espanyol scored. But it is not the end of the world. we have to stay calm now, even losing a derby game is always difficult to take.


We have to see a reaction of the players in the upcoming matches.

I am sure, we will see a positive reaction very soon.


Visca el Barca!