Espanyol 1-0 Barcelona Copa del Rey: match report, result
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Espanyol 1-0 Barcelona: report
For the first time in the decade, Espanyol leave a Catalan derby with a victory over Barcelona. It was also the first time in six years that they scored a goal at home in a game against their city rivals.
Ernesto Valverde opted to rest Luis Suarez and was without Andres Iniesta as chances were given to Denis Suarez and Aleix Vidal amongst others. The visitors never really got going despite having the chance to win the game with a Lionel Messi penalty that was expertly saved by Diego Lopez.
The first half seemed to drag on with neither side seeming too concerned with breaking the deadlock. That changed in the second half, however, as Espanyol stepped up their game and Barcelona did the same.
A foul on Sergi Roberto by Esteban Granero in the penalty area gave Messi a chance after 63 minutes to score from the spot but he couldn't and Espanyol's confidence spiked. After a sustained period of pressure, they had their reward when substitute, Oscar Melendo opened his left foot out to a cutback and finished across Jasper Cillessen to give the home side the lead for the first time in a home derby in what must have felt like forever.
There is a second leg of course for Barcelona to right things after their first loss since August and after 29 consecutive games. Espanyol really needed a win and a clean sheet to harbour any hopes of a win over two legs espcially with that trip to the Camp Nou on the horizon.
Espanyol vs Barcelona live stream online: updates
Espanyol vs Barcelona live stream online: preview
Barcelona are on a quest to win three trophies this season. They are perfectly placed in LaLiga, have a tough tie against Chelsea in the Champions League and have to contend with a Catalan derby over two legs against Espanyol to make it into the semi-final of the Copa del Rey.
After a spirited comeback against Real Sociedad at the Anoeta on Sunday, Barcelona travel to the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat on Wednesday at 21:00 CET where Athletic Bilbao came and earned a point for themselves at the weekend despite going a goal down thanks to the impressive Gerard Moreno.
Quique Sanchez Flores was linked with a move to Stoke City but opted to stay in Barcelona to continue his project with Espanyol with a chance for semi-final up for grabs despite their unconvincing form in the league.
There is nothing unconvincing about Barcelona's league form, however, and with their recent transfer movement with the signing of Philippe Coutinho and Yerry Mina, there is a lot for blaugrana fans to be excited for. Barcelona are without their two new signings along with Andres Iniesta, Javier Mascherano, Samuel Umtiti, Paco Alcácer, and Ousmane Dembélé for the first leg of the tie as Espanyol might try to spring a surprise at home on their opponents.
Meanwhile, Espanyol add Pablo Piatti, David López and Javi Fuego to their squad from the weekend but Marc Roca, Sergio Sánchez and Jurado don't make Sanchez Flores list.
