Due to floods, the La Liga Organizing Committee postponed the match Valencia – Real. Therefore, victory in the Catalan derby on the evening of November 3 will help Barca increase the gap with Real to nine points. Coach Flick made only 2 changes from the main squad in El Clasico’s 4-0 victory over Real last weekend. Dani Olmo replaces attacking midfielder Fermin Lopez, while youngster Hector Fort replaces right-back Jules Kounde.
Against the team ranked 4th from bottom, Barca comfortably controlled the ball and surrounded the goal. Flick’s players continuously rotated the ball to the wings, stretching the opponent’s defense, then suddenly passed the ball to Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha or Olmo.
In the 12th minute, Barca opened the scoring with a beautiful attack. Lamine Yamal stuffed the outside of his left foot and put the ball into the penalty area, creating conditions for Olmo to break through the offside and quickly turn the hands of goalkeeper Joan Garcia Bird Wing into the goal. In the 23rd minute, Marc Casado pulled a slot from midfield for Raphinha to break through offside, lifting the ball past Garcia to increase the score to 2-0.
Espanyol then also organized a number of counterattacks, but Barca’s accidents often occurred. In which the problem is not resolved at minute 26.
Just five minutes later, Olmo completed the pace to increase the score to 3-0 for Barca. After Alejandro Balde’s race from the left edge to the center, the Euro 2024 champion from 19 meters hit Garcia’s net. This is Olmo’s fifth goal after a La Liga match for Barca. Previously, the former Leipzig star scored goals against the Rayo Vallecano, Valladolid and Girona systems. He came on as a substitute in the win over Real, but did not score.
Winning easily in the first half, Flick soon let Olmo and Casado rest. After that, the German military pulled out Raphinha, Pedri and Fort to prepare for the match against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League group.
Barca’s reduction helps Espanyol breathe easier. In the 63rd minute, the hotel shortened the score to 1-3 from a counterattack. After escaping down the left wing, Kral looked to the far corner for Javi Puado to tap the ball into Pena’s net.
The unexpected loss forced Barca to play more carefully. They pressed the field again and put Espanyol on the defensive. Lewandowski was slow to score a goal at a great speed, hitting Garcia’s hand. Yamal also caused trouble on goal with two curling shots that went into the goalkeeper’s range and flew over the bar.
Barca maintained the advantage until the end and secured the score of 3-1. Coach Flick and his team currently own 33 points after 12 matches, nine points ahead of Real and 10 points ahead of third team Atletico. Next weekend, they will visit Sociedad’s Anoeta stadium in round 13.