Barcelona displayed an electrifying first-half performance that secured them a 3-1 victory over rivals Espanyol at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Also Read: La Liga Match Report! FC Barcelona vs Espanyol Match Updates, News and Scores (3rd November, 2023)
Dani Olmo led the charge with a brace, while the 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal mesmerized fans with his precision passing, including a superb assist for Olmo’s opener.
Raphinha, too, was on target, adding his signature flair to Barcelona’s attack as they overwhelmed Espanyol early on.
The match began with Barcelona’s high-energy approach and precise execution. Just 12 minutes in, Yamal’s outside-of-the-boot pass found Olmo, who skillfully slotted the ball past Joan Garcia to open the scoring.
The hosts struck again soon after when Marc Casado’s lofted ball reached Raphinha, who chipped it over Garcia with a composed finish. Olmo capped Barcelona’s three-goal spree by striking from distance, putting the game largely out of Espanyol’s reach.
Despite trailing by three goals, Espanyol pushed back with multiple attempts to breach Barcelona’s high defensive line, finally finding success as Javi Puado scored on a well-timed run.
Barcelona, however, maintained control, guided by standout performances in midfield and a solid, if occasionally tested, defense.
Goalkeeper & Defence
- Inaki Pena (6/10): Made a key save from Puado but had little to do overall and couldn’t prevent Espanyol’s goal.
- Hector Fort (7/10): Aggressive in challenges and offered forward momentum; fortunate not to concede at times.
- Inigo Martinez (6/10): Generally solid, though Espanyol’s through balls occasionally exposed gaps in the high line.
- Pau Cubarsi (7/10): Strong defensively, including a crucial block on Kral early in the second half.
- Alejandro Balde (5/10): Struggled to contain Puado, whose movements led to Espanyol’s goal.
Midfield
- Marc Casado (8/10): Dominated the midfield, winning challenges and dictating the game’s pace. Substituted after an hour.
- Pedri (7/10): Controlled the tempo, especially in the second half, providing calm in the midfield.
- Dani Olmo (9/10): An outstanding performance with two clinical finishes and relentless energy between the lines.
Attack
- Lamine Yamal (8/10): His vision created Barcelona’s first goal, and he kept Espanyol’s defense under constant pressure.
- Robert Lewandowski (6/10): Worked tirelessly off the ball, though he wasn’t directly involved in the goals.
- Raphinha (7/10): Scored a brave chipped goal and contributed well off the ball.
Subs & Manager
- Fermin Lopez (6/10): Contributed energetically but couldn’t replicate Olmo’s attacking threat.
- Frenkie De Jong (6/10): Tidy in possession, helping Barcelona maintain control late in the game.
- Jules Kounde (6/10): Brought stability, though Espanyol rarely threatened after his entrance.
- Gavi (6/10): Limited impact in his brief stint.
- Ansu Fati (7/10): Netted a disallowed goal but showed spark in limited minutes.
- Hansi Flick (7/10): A brilliant first-half display but will aim to refine his team’s defensive discipline moving forward.
