10-Man Barca Reclaim Top Spot After Thrilling Derby
05 January, 2020
Result: Espanyol 2-2 Barcelona
Date: 04 January 2020
Venue: RCDE Stadium
Ten-man FC Barcelona managed to reclaim top spot in LaLiga, despite dropping points in a thrilling Catalan derby on Saturday evening.
Marc Andre Ter Stegen’s injury lay-off provided Neto his first league start of the season, while Clement Lenglet also replaced Samuel Umtiti in the heart of the defence.
Espanyol were ahead after 23 minutes when a well-taken free-kick on the right by Marc Roca found the head of David Lopez who nodded into the far post.
The visitors struggled to get into advanced areas with their best chance of the half coming after 40 minutes when Lionel Messi forced Diego Lopez to a smart save with a smart header.
Ernesto Valverde made a bold change at the start of the second half and introduced Arturo Vidal for Croatian Ivan Rakitic across the middle of the park.
The Catalans soon drew level when Luis Suarez turned home Jordi Alba’s delivery from the left into the near post beyond the reach of Lopez on 50 minutes.
Nine minutes later, the Blaugrana completed the turnaround when Vidal headed into the roof of the net following a delicate cross from Suarez.
Barca ended with a man short after Frenkie De Jong received a second yellow card 15 minutes to fulltime for a strong challenge near the area.
This almost led to the hosts equalising after Wu Lei watched as his glancing header in the centre of the area failed to trouble Neto.
Wu Lei wasn’t to be denied again as he got behind Lenglet after connecting with a through ball on the right to slot into the far corner on 88 minutes, as Barca drop two valuable points.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za