Barcelona salvage point at the death against city neighbours Espanyol

Barcelona's Champions League hopes took a hit on Sunday night after they were held by Espanyol in the Barcelona derby. It looked it would be a routine Barca win when Pedri gave Barca the lead in the opening minutes, but Sergi Darder levelled just before the interval and Raul de Tomas struck in the 64th minute shortly after Barca had a goal ruled out by VAR. Then, after both teams had had a player sent off, Luuk de Jong headed in Traore's cross to get Barca the draw. The result sees Xavi's men in fourth ahead of Atletico Madrid on goal difference while Espanyol are 13th, eight points above the drop zone.  

Barcelona got off to the perfect start in the city derby with just two minutes on the clock when Pedri gave them the lead. Jordi Alba picked out the youngster at the far post and Pedri beat Diego Lopez to put Barca ahead in front of a lively home crowd. 

After the goal, the game started to become a bit rough with challenges flying in and a definite edge to the contest. However, the tension then reduced and Barcelona started to play the better football. However, there were few clear cut chances. Espanyol pressed, but kept on being flagged offside and it looked it would be 0-1 at the break. However, the game then livened up.

Adama Traore had a glorious chance to double Barca's advantage after he got on the end of a lovely cross by Gavi, but his strike was well saved by Diego Lopez in the Espanyol goal. Minutes later, Espanyol were level. Raul de Tomas received the ball in the Barcelona area, but was under pressure from Araujo so he turned and laid off to Sergi Darder, whose curling effort deflected off Pedri and went into the back of the net. Espanyol then finished the half stronger and it was all level at the interval.

 

February 13, 2022

Eric Garcia came on for Ronald Araujo at half-time and there was a fast tempo to the opening minutes of the second period. Barca thought they had hit the front just before the hour mark after Gavi had scored in scrappy fashion, but the VAR detected that Frenkie de Jong was offside in the build up and it was chalked off. 

Frenkie De Jong was taken off a few minutes and new signing Aubameyang was brought on by Xavi to try and get the all important winner for the away side, but things actually got worse for Barca in the 64th minute. Darder played a terrific pass forward for Raul de Tomas, who controlled and then beat Ter Stegen to make it 2-1 to Espanyol. 

Ousmane Dembele was also brought on with just over 15 minutes, but Barca had few chances. The referee was forced to open his notebook a few times as Barca's frustration got the better of them and it was actually Espanyol who looked more likely to score. 

Luuk de Jong was brought on for the closing stages and he very nearly scored in the six minutes of added time. Dembele put a cross into the box and he headed over. There was still time for the game to finish ten a side as a fight broke out between Gerard Pique and Nico Melamed and both players were given their marching orders. Then, with almost the last kick of the game, Luuk de Jong got his head to Adama Traore's cross to break Espanyol's hearts and get Barcelona a late point which takes them into the top four.