Barcelona left it late but secured a 2-0 victory over city rivals Espanyol on Saturday, moving seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Second-half substitutes Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski delivered decisive blows in the closing minutes, ensuring a ninth consecutive league win for the champions and halting Espanyol’s run of five straight victories.
Midfielder Fermin Lopez, who created both goals, said after the match: “I don’t know if we’re favourites for La Liga or not… but we’re in a good dynamic and we have an advantage over Real Madrid, and our objective is to keep that advantage.”
Lopez’s surging run set up Olmo’s curling strike in the 86th minute, before he laid on the second for Lewandowski to finish in stoppage time.
Garcia Faces Hostile Reception
Goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who crossed the city to join Barcelona last summer, endured a hostile atmosphere at the RCDE Stadium.
Espanyol fans whistled throughout, waved banners depicting rats, and even installed safety nets behind the goals to shield him from projectiles.
Despite the hostility, Garcia produced a string of crucial saves. He denied Roberto Fernandez in a one-on-one, improvised to block Pere Milla’s follow-up, and tipped away a powerful header that seemed destined for the net.
Of his team, Olmo had lofty words: “Joan is incredible, a great goalkeeper. Playing against his old fans, he had a great game and got a clean sheet. He will give us a lot — he’s giving us that and he will give us so much more too, I’m sure.”
Espanyol Push Champions to the Limit
Espanyol, managed by Manolo Gonzalez, created the better chances for much of the game. Fernandez repeatedly tested Garcia, while replacement keeper Marko Dmitrovic denied Jules Kounde and pulled off a spectacular save from Eric Garcia in the 70th minute.
The hosts looked set to claim at least a point until Barcelona’s substitutes combined to break their resistance.
Coach Hansi Flick turned to his bench, and the gamble paid off. Olmo, returning from a dislocated shoulder, struck first with a curling effort into the top corner.
Moments later, Lewandowski added the second with a deft finish after Lopez’s driving run.
The late goals secured Barcelona’s derby triumph and extended their lead at the summit, with Real Madrid set to host Real Betis on Sunday.
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