Thread: Espanyol - Villarreal

in our last three visits to Espanyol, two goalless draws and a 1-0 win last season. I see no reason why we can not win again, they are a club we should beat. They have won three out of four at home this season but the three victories were against Athletic, Getafé and Betis, we should provide stiffer opposition.

Diego López,
Mario, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Català;
Borja Valero, Bruno;
Hernán Pérez, De Guzmán, Joan Oriol,
M. Rubén,

In 7 games with Villarreal against Espanyol:
http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/super-lopez-golden-boy-blanquiazul/20111106dasdaiftb_2/Tes?

And defending an under-fire JdeGuz:
http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/solo-pensamos-luchar-puestos-europeos/20111105dasdaiftb_48/Tes?

Means 60MM viewers in China. Wow. Still complaining now?
http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/millones-chinos-vieron-real-madrid-osasuna/20111106dasdasftb_27/Tes

Similar to the City match, so far. Espanyol with possession; we are sitting back. Perez again with a poor turnover in midfield. Bulk up, son.

But we’re getting forward a bit more and more effectively. Ruben will have to work.

Another incredibly close call, but the linesman got it right. So frustrating to watch our high line, but we got it right.

a bit of possesion here, J de Guz has to start stepping up. He is far too static for my liking

needs to relax a bit on the ball, he’s far too flustered!

from the Espanyol fans, applause for the 21st minute in memory of Jarque

Espanyol moving down the wings with aplomb. Great minute to catch the applause for Dani Jarque. Wonderful tradition.

Any suggestions?

First shot on goal for Espanyol, of course from a header. Simple save for Lopez.

High line still working. Sergio Garcia still sucks. Miles offside and 1v1, and he still hits the keeper in the crest.

No communication with Lopez, who had that one easily. Just barely flops over the bar. A let-off.

to Hernan, he is always looking for the ball and gets stuck in, much more so than de Guzman it could be said. Perez drifting inside a lot.

Pretty boring stuff, to be honest. But we’ll take it at this point. Garrido has some thinking to do at the break about how many points he’s looking for.

58-42% possession to the home side. 1 shot on target each. Lone yellow to Espanyol’s Didac.

Marca thinks the hosts were much better, but I didn’t see it.

for Diego Lopez without conceding a goal.
De Guz won a challenge on the edge of the box and nearly created a chance for Ruben.
We need some fire in midfield, if we are going to defend then we need to counter-attack with far more speed.

Half-chance almost taken by Espanyol. Let’s go, boys.

Espanyol fans pleading for a call after last week’s mistake against Romaric, but none given. And it shouldn’t have been. Alvaro has to stay on his feet there.

Weiss for Datolo. Man City back to haunt us?

What a play by Perez. Harder to miss than score. So close to a reward…

Must have been an accumulation of fouls? Else very soft.

for a change, great by Perez there!

Now the cards arrive. Hard foul on the receiver of such knocks, Borja Valero.

And it’s a decent ball from JdeGuz. But a foul and back we go.

Out comes the stretcher, great. He closed down Sergio Garcia after a turnover by Ruben receiving a pass with back to goal.

Musacchio to CB, then Gullon in? Or Lejeune on? Hopefully neither is a forced change.

Angel for de Guzman. Figured he’d be the first player off. Angel and Oriol in the midfield now? He looked OK against Man City.

Slowed down a counter. Borja nearly got a clean sight of goal at the other end. Oriol and Bruno linked up well in the buildup.

Thievy for Alvaro Vazquez. Some speed up front late on. He’s been in Pocchetino’s doghouse recently.

Obvious second yellow. He absolutely blew up Joan Oriol in a late challenge.

Ref allowed advantage, as he should have. But that’s the right call.

Wound through the Espanyol defense, but his shot is just wide. Uf.

Baena for Romaric. The fans wanted a handball on Catala at the other end, but you don’t get that for kicking it into a player from two feet away.

Catala blasted a Ruben-drawn FK into the wall. Without Rossi (and Capdevila and Cazorla), our left-footed choices are minimal. Espanyol looks too dangerous with 10 men for my liking.

What a stupid foul. Gives up a dangerous FK. Ojo.

Now Garrido wants to make his final two changes. Still not looking to win up a man. That’s something to think about.

Joselu for Perez. MOTM was the Paraguayan. And Lejeune makes his debut, on for Ruben. 90 seconds of joy, I guess.

In 90’+4. FK to Espanyol.

We’ll take it. Great performance from Perez.

Allen, you nailed it.

really kicked on from a nervous first 20, great performance. The rest, poor coming from what we are used to. Good to see Angel back as well.

I am so wild, this is the first time in 60 years of watching soccer that I have seen a first div. team start with a GK – 4x backs- 2xhalf backs- 2x halfbacks- 1x fullback- 1xforward. Then pull off a halfback for a FB, THEN PULL OFF ANOTHER HALFBACK for a FB, then with 1 minute to go change CF and change our best player for another FB. End result- 1 GK – 7 FULLBACKS,- 2-halfbacks and a CF. Am I going mad or has MY BELOVED VILLARREAL lost its marbles. I am truly lost for words. For 7 years Snr. Roig has been my idol, but now is the time for decisions. And I mean line ups and managers. ENDAVANT. & SUCCESS