In a thrilling Catalan Derby, Barcelona showcased their prowess with a solid 3-1 win over local rivals Espanyol.
With this victory, the Blaugrana continue to reign supreme atop the La Liga standings, pushing their lead to a comfortable nine points above Real Madrid.
The match not only reinforced Barcelona’s dominance this season but also highlighted the resilience and tactical discipline of a team aiming for the La Liga title.
Barcelona started strong, with Dani Olmo finding the back of the net early, setting the tone for a one-sided first half. The Blaugrana went into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead, leaving Espanyol scrambling for answers.
The early goal, assisted by rising star Lamine Yamal, was a display of Olmo’s clinical finishing, giving Barcelona a much-needed momentum boost in the opening minutes.
Espanyol was unable to contain the Blaugrana’s well-organized attacks and struggled to find a rhythm against Barcelona’s high-pressure game.
Raphinha, Barcelona’s current captain, doubled the advantage shortly after Olmo’s opener. His brilliant run in behind the defense, capitalizing on a perfect pass from Marc Casado, left Espanyol’s goalkeeper Joan Garcia helpless.
The goal marked Raphinha’s seventh of the season, securing his place among La Liga’s top scorers. With an impressive synergy between Raphinha, Yamal, and Lewandowski, Barcelona’s forward line looked formidable throughout the game.
️ Dani Olmo after scoring two goals in Barça’s 3-1 derby win over Espanyol: pic.twitter.com/pgafgyxOzw
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 4, 2024
Dani Olmo was a standout performer in midfield, netting his second goal before halftime, further solidifying their lead. With two goals from five touches in Espanyol’s box, Olmo’s accuracy and composure were exceptional.
His ability to navigate tight spaces and convert chances made him a critical player in the team’s strategy. This commanding lead allowed Flick’s boys to play a more conservative game in the second half, focusing on maintaining possession and preventing Espanyol from mounting a comeback.
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Espanyol’s Resilience and Misfortune
Despite the scoreline, Espanyol showed resilience, creating several scoring opportunities, although luck seemed against them. Espanyol was repeatedly denied by the offside flag and VAR, with three potential goals chalked off.
The first disallowed goal came as Jofre Carreras slotted home, only to see his effort ruled out due to a marginal offside call. Two more disallowed goals frustrated Espanyol, and the visitors could only manage a single successful strike late in the game.
Espanyol’s goal finally came in the 63rd minute, thanks to a swift counter-attack that saw Carlos Romero deliver a precise low cross to Javi Puado, who calmly slotted it in.
Espanyol’s xG of 0.97 indicates they had quality chances, yet the opponent’s disciplined defense kept them at bay. Los Periquitos, currently teetering just above the relegation zone, will need to turn these close calls into conversions in their upcoming fixtures.
Their performance showcased their tactical versatility under head coach Hansi Flick. Their 4-2-3-1 formation enabled the Blaugrana to control the midfield while pushing forward with confidence.
The midfield duo of Pedri and Marc Casado, who later made way for Frenkie de Jong, provided structure and facilitated quick transitions. The early substitutions further strengthened the team, with de Jong and Ansu Fati adding fresh energy and pace to the game.
One of the key takeaways from this game was Barcelona’s impressive xG of 1.46, reflecting their efficiency in creating high-quality chances. Despite a slightly quieter outing for Lewandowski, who has dominated La Liga’s scoring charts, the balanced performance from Olmo, Raphinha, and Yamal ensured Barcelona maintained their offensive threat.
The Stats Behind Barcelona’s Success
Their dominance is evident from both the scoreline and the match stats. They held 68% of possession, completed over 500 passes, and registered a live win probability of 99.4% by the second half, signaling an almost guaranteed victory.
Espanyol’s live win probability, meanwhile, plummeted to 0.1%, underscoring the magnitude of Barcelona’s control.
The Blaugrana’s backline, led by Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi, did well to limit Espanyol’s scoring opportunities. Martinez was particularly effective in breaking up Espanyol’s counter-attacks, while goalkeeper Inaki Pena made crucial saves to preserve Barcelona’s lead. Their solid defensive performance further underscores why Barcelona has one of the best defensive records in La Liga this season.
