Continuity in Primera del Spanish football finally showed some uphill momentum as the budgerigar squad surged forward. It began in Seville with high hopes but ended in heartbreak, a 3-2 defeat that leaves them hovering near the relegation zone with only three points separating salvation. With a derby looming on May 14, the situation looks bleak. At Cornellà, Barca could seal the league title and push Espanyol further toward the bottom tier as the season nears its climax.
From the opening whistle, Luis García kept faith with his game plan at Pizjuán, and the team found an early spark that yielded a lead through a mix of moments crafted by Rekic and clever artistry in attack. Misfortune struck in the second half as a pivotal penalty from Vini Souza altered the balance and sparked a furious Andalusian surge that effectively decided the match and left Espanyol with no turning back.
tactics
The belief that trusted methods should not be tampered with guided Luis García’s approach at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. The tactical frame remained compact: a 3-2-3-2 style with three midfielders, two wingers, and two forwards, designed to press decisively and exploit opponents’ gaps on the break.
Three changes were made in this clash, two of which were anticipated: Cesar Montes came in for Calero after a suspension, while Braithwaite lined up as a substitution option. In the left lane, Brian Oliván took over for Pedrosa, signaling his readiness for Sevilla in the coming season. The spine saw Denis Suárez, Darder, and Melamed in peak form, though two of them were withdrawn in the second half as the coach sought alternatives to sustain energy and balance.
commentary
Espanyol depended on a moment of individual brilliance from Cabrera, who sent Oliver through for a notable chance early in the match. Gueye’s too-forward step unsettled Espanyol, while Darder’s miscue loomed large as the Parrots took the lead twice. Bryan Gil initially faced a late offside call that was later overturned, preserving Espanyol’s early advantage.
Rafa Mir’s earlier foul did not stop the ball from finding the back of the net for Sevilla, and the match intensified as fans debated a controversial sequence. The drab wear and tear of LaLiga’s pressure showed in a tense stalemate where Espanyol’s luck appeared to swing but ultimately did not favor them. Joselu’s involvement did not translate into a decisive moment after a center by Darder, and doubts about the positioning of both sides lingered into the late stages of the game.
The action drew reactions from followers with a flurry of social posts, capturing the drama of a late-season clash that had the feel of a high-stakes playoff between rivals. The fans watched as a near-miss from Joselu and a powerful shot from Puado shaped the closing minutes of the contest, keeping hope alive for Sevilla while crushing Espanyol’s attempts to salvage a point.
big moment
Luck refused to stay with the visitors as Puado delivered a brilliant strike that became the defining moment of the night. It was his fifth league goal of the campaign, a strike that arrived just after the timeout and changed the tone of the encounter. The volley shattered the balance and forced Sevilla to respond in kind. The stadium roared as Puado’s finish resonated with the home crowd, setting the pace for the final minutes.
The chorus of cheers from the Sevilla supporters followed Puado’s goal, while Joselu’s later clearance failed to convert into a late equalizer. The blue-and-white contingent had to watch a patient buildup end with a shot that did not find its target, leaving the match bridge-burning close between the teams. The final stages carried a heavy weight, with Espanyol failing to replicate the early momentum and Sevilla clinging to their lead.
Ah, the moment when Puado’s effort defined the night offered a reminder of the razor-thin margins that describe top-flight football. The earlier clear chance for Joselu, followed by Puado’s breakthrough, underscored the unpredictability of a game that swung between control and chaos almost by the minute.
problem
When García adjusted the plan during the match, the game’s rhythm shifted. The substitution of Darder for Vini Souza altered the dynamic, while Gueye’s momentary discomfort on the bench suggested internal frictions. As Espanyol pressed, the budgerigar captain appeared unsettled by the pivot and the tactical risk that came with the swap. The substitution process intensified the pressure on Espanyol, complicating the team’s ability to find a steady rhythm down the stretch.
Alberola Rojas pointed to a pivotal moment when an Ocampos penalty rebalanced the scoreline and rekindled Sevilla’s vitality. A late crossbar attempt sent by Sevilla’s forward in the last minutes underscored the fragility of Espanyol’s hopes, as the home side could not avert the slender final margin and the Derby road unearthed its toll on the visitors.