The difference in quality and potential between Barcelona and Espanyol is there and undeniable, but when these two teams meet it’s going to be a tough Catalan derby and that’s exactly what unfolded at the Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon (31/12) in the frame from the 15th round of La Liga.

The Blaugrana were better and found the goal early, only in the 7th minute through Alonso, but the Pericos found a way to level the game with a Joselu penalty in the 73rd minute, only to withstand pressure from their compatriots and get a valuable point in the fight for whereabouts and deprive “Barca”, who are now level with Real, of two points.

The game

Dominant in the first half, Barcelona soon found the back of the net with Xavi’s men playing… heading high into the box after a corner and Alonso receiving an assist from Christensen to make it 1-0.

Up until the 70th minute, the home side seemed completely in control and unthreatened, but a recklessness from Alonso, who pushed Joselou into his team’s large space, gave the “victim” the opportunity to put the ball in play with a white arrow and defeated Ter Stegen in the 73rd minute to equalize 1-1 with the first goal of his career at the Camp Nou.

What ensued was an exciting game starring Mateu Laothe, with the international referee dealing lavishly (2 reds and 13 yellows in total) and within minutes leaving both teams down to 10 men, Alba with two yellows within five minutes place (the second for protest) as did Souza in the same way.

Laoth had initially shown the way to the dressing room and Cabrera with a straight red card but their decision was reversed via VAR with the game… turning into a rodeo and the Blaugrana creating two big chances in two minutes but carrying goalkeeper Fernandez had just as many great interventions, in the 87th minute with Christensen’s header and in the 88th minute with Lewandowski.

The home side were pushing for a much-coveted second goal in the ten minutes of added time, but Espanyol persevered, going 1-1 into the final and sealing a painful point loss for title contenders Barcelona after their brace. Taken away a point advantage previously enjoyed against eternal rivals Real.

BARCELONA: Ter Stegen, Roberto (Balde 82), Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Gavi (Busquets 52), De Jong (Conte 83), Pedri, Rafinha (Dembele 62), Lewandowski, Fati (Torres 62)

ESPANIOL: Fernandez, Hill (Saeth 90), Gomet, Cabrera, Olivan (Vidal 90), Souza, Calero (Exposito 57), Reboundo (Poido 57), Darder, Brathwaite (Boulif 86), Joselu

The results of the 15th game

• Girona – Rayo Vallecano 2-2 (34min Castegianos, 75min Saith / 2nd Cameyo, 62nd Palathon)
• Betis Bilbao 0-0
• Atlético – moose 2-0 (54′ Felix, 74′ Morata)
• Getafe-Majorca 2-0 (51′, 78′ Mayor)
• Cadiz – Almeria 1-1 (83′ Lucas / 40′ Melero)
• Celta – Seville 1-1 (33′ Gabry / 54′ Salas)
• Valladolid – Real 0-2 (83′, 89′ Benzema)
• Barcelona – Spain 1-1 (7′ Alonso / 73′ Penalty Joselou)
• 31/12 17:15 Sothidad-Osasuna
• 31/12 17:15 Villarreal-Valencia

The program of the 16th match day

• 01.06. 19:30 Elche-Telta
• 01.06. 22:00 Valencia – Cadiz
• 01.07. 17:15 Villarreal – Real
• 01.07. 19:30 Mallorca – Valladolid
• 01.07. 22:00 Spain – Girona
• 01.08. 15:00 Almeria – Real Sociedad
• 01.08. 17:15 Rayo Vallecano Betis
• 01.08. 19:30 Seville – Getafe
• 01.08. 22:00 Atletico – Barcelona
• 01.09. 22:00 Athletic – Osasuna