On Tuesday, Espanyol faced off against Valencia in a tight contest for matchday 6 of La Liga, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
Valencia took the lead early in the match with a goal from Arnaut Danjuma in the 15th minute. However, Espanyol responded tenaciously, leveling the score through Leandro Cabrera’s powerful header just 13 minutes into the second half. The game saw Valencia surge ahead again in the 61st minute with a second header, this time from Hugo Duro. Yet, Espanyol wasn’t done; Javi Puado clinched a dramatic equalizer in the 50th minute of the second half, also by way of a header.
Espanyol dominated shooting efforts, attempting a total of 21 shots on goal, compared to Valencia’s, but could not convert enough to claim victory, landing 13 shots on target and missing 6.
Espanyol’s manager, José González Álvarez, set up a 4-5-1 formation, featuring Marko Dmitrovic as goalkeeper; with a defensive line of Omar el Hilali, Clemens Riedel, Leandro Cabrera, and Carlos Romero; the midfield included Pol Lozano, Edu Expósito, Tyrhys Dolan, Charles Pickel, and Javi Puado; Kike García led the attack.
On the other side, Valencia’s Carlos Corberán opted for a 4-4-2 formation, with Julen Agirrezabala in goal; Dimitri Foulquier, César Tárrega, Mouctar Diakhaby, and José Luis Gayà forming the backline; the midfield trio consisted of Baptiste Santamaria, Pepelu, and Luis Rioja; while Arnaut Danjuma and Hugo Duro spearheaded the offense.
Match referee José Guzmán Mansilla oversaw the proceedings effectively.
Looking forward, Espanyol will visit Girona in their next fixture, while Valencia is set to host Real Oviedo at the Mestalla.
With the conclusion of this match, Espanyol sits fourth in the standings with 11 points, while Valencia occupies the ninth position with 8 points.
Substitutions for Espanyol
56’ – Charles Pickel out for Roberto Fernández
67’ – Pol Lozano out for Urko Gonzalez; Omar el Hilali out for Rubén Sánchez
81’ – Tyrhys Dolan out for Antoniu Roca; Carlos Romero out for José Salinas
Yellow cards for Espanyol:
38’ – Charles Pickel (Unsportsmanlike Conduct)
Substitutions for Valencia
59’ – Diego López out for Lucas Beltrán; Pepelu out for Filip Ugrinic
70’ – Arnaut Danjuma out for Thierry Correia
75’ – Luis Rioja out for Javi Guerra; José Luis Gayà out for Jesús Vázquez
Yellow cards for Valencia:
38’ – Mouctar Diakhaby (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 42’ – Diego López (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 53’ – Baptiste Santamaria (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 48’ – Julen Agirrezabala (Delaying the game)