Spanish Glory: An RCD Espanyol Story | Presented by BigJDotCom

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I have picked up FIFA 19 and have decided to start a dynasty with Real Club Deportivo Espanyol de Barcelona. Located in Barcelona and founded in 1900, they have spent 80 seasons in the premier division of Spanish football. They have zero championships in the top level and hold the distinction of being the club with the longest tenure in La Liga without winning the title. The club has participated in seven UEFA Cups, reaching the finals twice. In 1988, they lost to Beyer Leverkusen on penalty kicks (3-2) after a 3-0 home win and 0-3 road loss. In 2007, they lost to Spanish side Sevilla on penalty kicks (3-1) after being tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes and 2-2 after 120 minutes.

RCD Espanyol has won four Copa del Rey, most recently in 2006 defeating Zaragosa 4-1 in Madrid.

Their rival is naturally Barcelona. This rivalry is bigger for RCD Espanyol fans than Barcelona ones as Espanyol has finished above Barcelona in the table just three times in over 70 seasons.

The club will be managed by former RCD Espanyol icon Raul Tamudo, who retired from professional football in 2015. The 41-year-old made 389 appearances with RCD Espanyol, scoring 140 goals and leading the club to two Copa del Rey titles.

The club plays it's home matches at RCDE Stadium in the outskirts Barcelona.

We will be focusing on stocking the club with home grown talent. We will setup a scouting network and youth academy within Spain.

I hope that you enjoy!

2018-19 SEASON
The Down Low on the Periquitos:

MANAGER: Raul Tamudo
CAREER RECORD: (0-0-0)
STADIUM: RCDE Stadium (Capacity: 40,500)
RIVALS: Barcelona
TRANSFER BUDGET: $12,098,438
CLUB WORTH: $87,000,000
WEEKLY WAGE BUDGET:
EXPECTATIONS: Finish Mid Table; Reach Round of 32 Copa de Espana; Qualify for UEFA League spot within two seasons

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Re: Spanish Glory: An RCD Espanyol Story | Presented by BigJDotCom

RCD ESPANYOL RIVALS:

2018-19 La Liga Record: (15-11-12, 56 pts) 7th place
2019-20 La Liga Record: (14-7-5, 49 pts) 4th place

Copa de Espana Record: (4-0-2)
Champions League Record: (0-0-0)
Europa League Record: (6-1-3)
2018 Champions Trophy Tournament: (0-3-0)
2019 European International Cup: (0-2-1)



AJAX (0-1-0)
July 11, 2018: RCD Espanyol 4:4 Ajax (Champions Trophy)


AS SAINT-ETIENNE (0-1-0)
July 14, 2019: RCD Espanyol 1:1 AS Saint-Etienne (European International Cup)


ATALANTA (0-0-1)
July 7, 2019: RCD Espanyol 1:5 Atalanta (European International Cup)


ATHLETIC BILBAO (0-2-1)
Nov 3, 2018: RCD Espanyol 2:2 Athletic Bilbao
Mar 9, 2019: Athletic Bilbao 2:2 RCD Espanyol
Oct 6, 2019: Athletic Bilbao 3:1 RCD Espanyol
Apr 1, 2020:


ATLETICO MADRID (3-0-3)
Dec 21, 2018: Atletico Madrid 0:1 RCD Espanyol
May 4, 2019: RCD Espanyol 0:2 Atletico Madrid
Nov 3, 2019: RCD Espanyol 0:3 Atletico Madrid
Jan 7, 2020: RCD Espanyol 0:3 Atletico Madrid (Copa de Espana)
Jan 15, 2020: Atletico Madrid 1:3 RCD Espanyol (Copa de Espana)
Feb 28, 2020: Atletico Madrid 0:1 RCD Espanyol


FC BARCELONA (2-0-2)
Dec 8, 2018: RCD Espanyol 0:2 FC Barcelona
Mar 23, 2019: FC Barcelona 4:0 RCD Espanyol
Dec 21, 2019: FC Barcelona 0:1 RCD Espanyol
Feb 16, 2020: RCD Espanyol 6:1 FC Barcelona


BESIKTAS JK(0-0-2)
Oct 24, 2019: RCD Espanyol 1:2 Besiktas JK (Europa League)
Nov 7, 2019: Besiktas JK 2:0 RCD Espanyol (Europa League)


CELTA VIGO (2-2-0)
Aug 18, 2018: Celta Vigo 1:1 RCD Espanyol
Apr 25, 2019: RCD Espanyol 1:0 Celta Vigo
Nov 11, 2019: RCD Espanyol 2:1 Celta Vigo
Feb 24, 2020: Celta Vigo 2:2 RCD Espanyol


CLUB BRUGGE (2-0-0)
Sept 19, 2019: Club Brugge 2:3 RCD Espanyol (Europa League)
Nov 28, 2019: RCD Espanyol 5:3 Club Brugge (Europa League)


CORK CITY (2-0-0)
Aug 22, 2019: Cork City 0:3 RCD Espanyol (Europa League)
Aug 29, 2019: RCD Espanyol 2:0 Cork City (Europa League)


DEPORTIVO ALAVES (2-2-1)
Sept 1, 2018: Alaves 1:5 RCD Espanyol
Oct 31, 2018: Alaves 1:2 RCD Espanyol (Copa de Espana)
Dec 4, 2018: RCD Espanyol 1:4 Alaves (Copa de Espana)
Apr 14, 2019: RCD Espanyol 2:2 Alaves
Sept 1, 2019: RCD Espanyol 0:0 Alaves
May 16, 2020:


GETAFE CF (1-2-0)
Dec 1, 2018: Getafe FC 1:1 RCD Espanyol
Apr 3, 2019: RCD Espanyol 3:1 Getafe CF
Oct 19:2019: RCD Espanyol 1:1 Getafe CF
May 11, 2020:


GIRONA (3-0-0)
Nov 24, 2018: RCD Espanyol 2:1 Girona
Apr 7, 2019: Girona 1:3 RCD Espanyol
Oct 27, 2019: Girona 0:1 RCD Espanyol
Apr 26, 2020:


LAVANTE UD (1-0-1)
Sept 16, 2018: RCD Espanyol 0:3 Levante UD
Apr 21, 2019: Levante UD 0:5 RCD Espanyol


CD LEGANES (1-1-0)
Jan 5, 2019: RCD Espanyol 3:2 CD Leganes
May 11, 2019: CD Leganes 2:2 RCD Espanyol


LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW (1-0-1)
Feb 13, 2020: Lokomotiv Moscow 1:0 RCD Espanyol (Europa League)
Feb 20, 2020: RCD Espanyol 2:1 Lokomotiv Moscow (Europa League)


MALMO FF (1-1-0)
Oct 3, 2019: RCD Espanyol 3:0 Malmo FF (Europa League)
Dec 12, 2019: Malmo FF 3:3 RCD Espanyol (Europa League)


NEWCASTLE UNITED (0-1-0)
July 10, 2019: Newcastle United 2:2 RCD Espanyol (European International Cup)


RAYO MAJADAHONDA (2-0-0)
Oct 30, 2019: RCD Espanyol 3:0 Rayo Majadahonda (Copa de Espana)
Dec 4, 2019: Rayo Majadahonda 0:3 RCD Espanyol Copa de Espana)


RAYO VALLECANO (2-1-0)
Sept 30, 2018: Rayo Vallecano 1:1 RCD Espanyol
Feb 9, 2019: RCD Espanyol 2:0 Rayo Vallecano
Aug 25, 2019: Rayo Vallecano 2:3 RCD Espanyol
Mar 18, 2020:


REAL BETIS (0-2-1)
Dec 16, 2018: RCD Espanyol 2:3 Real Betis
Apr 28, 2019: Real Betis 1:1 RCD Espanyol
Dec 8, 2019: Real Betis 2:2 RCD Espanyol
Apr 22, 2020:


REAL MADRID (2-0-2)
Sept 26, 2018: Real Madrid 1:2 RCD Espanyol
Jan 26, 2019: RCD Espanyol 1:3 Real Madrid
Sept 24, 2019: Real Madrid 1:2 RCD Espanyol
Jan 26, 2020: RCD Espanyol 0:2 Real Madrid


REAL SOCIEDAD (2-1-0)
Jan 13, 2019: Real Sociedad 1:2 RCD Espanyol
May 18, 2019: RCD Espanyol 3:3 Real Sociedad
Nov 24, 2019: Real Sociedad 0:3 RCD Espanyol
Mar 15, 2020:


REAL SPORTING (0-1-0)
Jan 18, 2020, 2018: Real Sporting 1:1 RCD Espanyol
Apr 11, 2020:


REAL VALLADOLID (3-0-0)
Oct 27, 2018: Real Valladolid 0:1 RCD Espanyol
Mar 3, 2019: RCD Espanyol 1:0 Real Valladolid
Sept 28, 2019: Real Valladolid 2:3 RCD Espanyol
Apr 5, 2020:


SD EIBAR (1-1-1)
Sept 29, 2018: RCD Espanyol 3:2 SD Eibar
Jan 19, 2019: SD Eibar 3:0 RCD Esapnyol
Sept 14, 2019: SD Eibar 1:1 RCD Espanyol
May 9, 2020:


SD HUESCA (1-1-0)
Oct 21, 2018: SD Huesca 2:3 RCD Espanyol
Feb 23, 2019: RCD Espanyol 1:1 SD Huesca


SEVILLA FC (0-0-3)
Nov 11, 2018: Sevilla FC 3:1 RCD Espanyol
Mar 17, 2019: RCD Espanyol 2:5 Sevilla FC
Aug 18, 2019: RCD Espanyol 1:4 Sevilla FC
Mar 21, 2020:


UD LAS PALMAS (2-0-0)
Jan 11, 2020: RCD Espanyol 1:0 UD Las Palmas
Feb 9, 2020: UD Las Palmas 0:3 RCD Espanyol


VALENCIA CF (2-0-2)
Aug 26, 2018: RCD Espanyol 0:2 Valenica CF
Feb 17, 2019: Valencia CF 3:2 RCD Espanyol
Sept 22, 2019: RCD Espanyol 1:0 Valencia CF
Feb 1, 2020: Valencia CF 1:3 RCD Espanyol


VILLARREAL CF (0-2-2)
Oct 7, 2018: RCD Espanyol 1:3 Villarreal CF
Feb 3, 2019: Villarreal 0:0 RCD Espanyol
Dec 1, 2019: RCD Espanyol 0:1 Villarreal CF
Mar 7, 2020: Villarreal CF 2:2 RCD Espanyol


WERDER BREMEN (0-1-0)
July 8, 2018: Werder Bremen 3:3 RCD Espanyol (Champions Trophy)


WOLFSBURG (0-1-0)
July 4, 2018: RCD Espanyol 1:1 Wolfsburg (Champions Trophy)

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RCD ESPANYOL HISTORY

2018-19 Season:
La Liga: (15-12-11) 59 points, 7th place
Copa de Espana: Round of 32 (3:5 Deportivo Alaves)
MVP: Carles Alena, 37 appearances, 7 goals, 8 assists, 8 MOTM, 2 POTM
Recap: RCD Espanyol exceeded preseason expectations with a seventh place finish and qualification for the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League. The club had a disappointing loss in the round of 32 of the Copa de Espana to Deportivo Alaves. New manager Raul Tamudo's youth movement is underway and this club has a bright future.



2018-19 Season:
La Liga Champion: Real Madrid (28-6-4) 90 points
Copa de Espanal Champion: FC Barcelona (defeated Valencia CF 2:1)
Champions League: Manchester City (defeated Juventus 2:1)
Euro League: Sporting CP (defeated Besiktas JK 2:1)
Relegated to Segunda Division: Levante UD, SD Huesca, CD Leganes
Promoted to La Liga: UD Las Palmas, RC Deportivo, Real Sporting
Player of the Year: Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid
Keeper of the Year: Jan Oblak, Atletico Madrid
Manager of the Year: Santiago Solari, Real Madrid

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2018-19 Preseason Roster

FORMATION: 4-1-4-1

This is the preseason roster for RCD Espanyol. The roster looks pretty solid, but the board wants us to sign a crucial 1st team player assigned to midfield or forward, so we may be adding some help up front.

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2018-19 RCD ESPANYOL FIXTURES

RCD Espanyol will open the inaugural season under new manager Raul Tamudo in Holland at the Champions Trophy Tournament. They will be grouped with Ajax (Holland), Wolfsburg (Germany), and Werder Bremen (Germany). The others participating are: PSV (Holland), Feyenoord (Holland), Crystal Palace (England) and OGC Nice (France).

Highlights of their La Liga schedule are the two Derbi Barceloni matches on December 8th at home and March 23 at Camp Nou. They have a brutal stretch of matches in March facing Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Barcelona all in a row.

The club will face Deportivo Alaves in the opening round of the Copa de Espana on October 31 (away) and December 4 (home).

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CHAMPIONS TROPHY TOURNAMENT RECAP

Holland (AP) - RCD Espanyol accepted an invitation to the Champions Trophy Tournament held in the Netherlands. It would be a very good test for new manager Raul Tamudo. Espanyol coul dnot advance past the group stage though, drawing all three matches and finishing in third place in Group A. They drew 1:1 with Wolfsburg, 3:3 with Werder Bremen, then 4:4 with Ajax.

The Ajax game was a thriller as Ajax scored twice in the opening 10 minutes with Espanyol needing a win to advance. They would draw even at 2:2 at the break thanks to goals from Hernan Perez and Pablo Piatti. After Kasper Dolberg put Ajax ahead early in the second half, Sergio Garcia immediately tied the match with a cracker, then Oscar Duarte put Espanyol ahead in the 77th minute and it looked like they would advance. But David Neres picked up a loose ball in the Espanyol box late and struck home the match tying goal in the 88th minute to send Ajax through, and send Espanyol home.

All in all, not a bad tournament, but three draws and eight goals allowed is something that the club will need to work on heading into La Liga play in just over a month.

OGC Nice would go on to win the Champions Trophy, defeating Crystal Palace 2-0 in the final. Ajax fell to OG Nice in the semifinals 2-0, and Crystal Palace defeated Werder Bremen 2-1 in the other semifinal. RCD Espanyol's Estaban Granero was named the player of the tournament. He scored two goals and had two assists to lead all players with four points in the tourney.

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SUMMER TEAM NEWS
Barcelona, ESP (AP) - The 2018-19 season is quickly approaching and RCD Espanyol are getting ready for their first campaign under new manager and club legend, Raul Tamudo. The board of directors is asking for a mid-table finish in Tamudo's first campaign and that seems reasonable. The media is a bit more suspect of Espanyol and Tamudo, feeling that they will finish 13th. Tamudo has already begun to move players that he feels do not fit into the club's future plans as he hopes to build this club up from their youth academy.

RCD Espanyol began the summer by moving a couple of expensive and aging veterans. Hernan Perez was transferred to Ajax after the summer Champions Trophy Tournament for a transfer fee of $11.8M. Center Back David Lopez was transferred to Olympique Marsaille for a transfer fee of $15.3M. The 28-year-old was a projected starter, but manager Raul Tomado felt that the price was too good to pass up and they club can fill in that position with younger, less expensive talent.

32-year-old backup keeper Roberto has been sold to Vitesse for $6M. He could have been in the mix next season as starter Diego Lopez is now 36, but youngster Edu Frias has been coming along nicely so it made Roberto expendable.

The club has loaned young central midfielder Alex Lopez to Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. The 21-year-old was looking for playing time and he should get some there.

The club has added a young potential superstar in Carles Alena from Barcelona. The 20-year-old central midfielder and right winger comes in with a ton of potential and manager Raul Tamudo was thrilled with the acquisition. "We think that Alena could be the centerpiece of a great winning tradition that is about to begin here."

The club renegotiated with young 19-year-old keeper Edu Frias on a four year deal that will pay him $2,100/week. The club feels that he has a ton of potential and that locking him up at this price is huge for the club.

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LA LIGA MATCHDAY 1

vs.

RC CELTA VIGO 1:1 RCD ESPANYOL
Abanca-Balaidos (Capacity: 29,000)


David Abraham slides home the opening goal of the match for Celta.

SCORING:
41' - (CEL) - D. Abraham
90'+ - (ESP) - O. Melendo

DISCIPLINE:
None

8/18/18
Vigo, Galicia (AP) - The La Liga debut for new RCD Espanyol manager Raul Tamudo and young midfielder Carles Alena couldn't have gone much better as Espanyol tallied late to draw at Celta Vigo 1-1 at Abanca-Balaidos. Alena setup the match tying goal in extra time as he slid a perfect through ball to Oscar Meledo, who did not fluff his lines, and beat Celta Vigo keeper Sergio as RCD Espanyol salvaged a draw in their season opener.

Celta Vigo grabbed the lead in the 41st minute off of a corner. Defender David Abraham, making his Celta debut, headed one off of the bar, then put back the rebound to put Celta up 1-0. Sergi Darder would have a glorious chance to tie moments later, but his left footed shot sailed just wide of the far post.

Iago Aspas missed on a chance to put Celta up by two early in the second half, as he got behind the Espanyol defense, but his shot was just tipped over the bar by Diego Lopez.

Carles Alena, making his Espanyol debut, came on as a substitue in the 55th minute, replacing Estaban Grenaro. Alena made an immediate impact and showed glimpses of what the future may hold in the Espanyol midfield. His vision and passes setup a few excellent chances. Alena himself had a great chance to tie in the 85th minute, taking a pass from Leo Baptistao, but hitting it over the bar.

RCD Espanyol ended up outshooting Celta 11-8 (6-2 in the second half), and held possession for 56% of the match. All in all, not a bad debut for Tamudo and RCD.

Up next, Espanyol returns home to face Valencia.

Matchday 1 Results:
Girona 3:2 Valladolid
Real Betis 2:0 Levante
Vilareal 1:1 Real Sociedad
Barcelona 3:1 Alaves
Eibar 1:0 Huesca
Rayo Vallecano 1:2 Sevilla
Real Madrid 3:0 Getafe
Valencia 1:2 Atletico Madrid
Athletic Bilbao 3:2 Leganes

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TRANSFER NEWS
RCD Espanyol have acquired striker Emmanuel Boateng from Levante UD for a transfer fee of $17.2M. The 22-year-old fits perfectly into manager Raul Tamudo's fast paced and youthful mold. Tamudo said that he expects to rotate Boateng in with Sergio Garcia and Bonja Iglesias at the striker position and even hinted that he may be open to moving the 35-year-old Garcia if the price is right.

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LA LIGA MATCHDAY 2

vs.

RCD ESPANYOL 0:2 VALENCIA CF
RCDE Stadium (Capacity: 40,500)


Michy Batshuayi redirects a cross to give Valencia the lead.

SCORING:
32' - (VAL) - M. Batshuayi
66' - (VAL) - G. Kondogbia

DISCIPLINE:
88' - (ESP) - M. Roca (Red)

8/26/18
Barcelona (AP) - RCD Espanyol dropped their home opening match and first match under the direction of new manager Raul Tamudo, 2-0 to visiting Valencia CF. Michy Batshuayi was deservedly the man of the match, scoring the opening goal in the 32nd minute, then assisting on Geoffrey Kondogbia's goal in the 66th minute.

Espanyol was outshot 10-7 and really did not have many good scoring chances. Leo Baptistao hit one over the bar as time expired in the opening half, and newly acquired Emmanuel Boateng hit one over the bar in the 74th minute for the best two chances that Espanyol would see all match.

Valencia played very tight in the back and really took advantage of their chances. Michy Batshuayi opened the scoring in the 32nd minute as he redirected home a cross from Wendell. He had a great chance to make it 2-0 in the 55th minute but DIego Lopez made a great save on a shot from just inside the six yard box. Batshuayi then setup up Geoffrey Kondogbia's goal with a gorgeous through ball in the 66th minute to seal it.

Marc Roca was sent off in the 88th minute as he tripped up Batshuayi from behind. It looked more like a frustration foul and now he will miss Espanyol's next match at Deportivo Alaves.

Matchday 2 Results:
Getafe 1:1 Eibar
Leganes 0:1 Real Sociedad
Alaves 1:2 Real Betis
Atletico Madrid 2: Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Valladolid 1:2 Barcelona
Sevilla 1:2 Villarreal
Girona 1:2 Real Madrid
Levante 1:1 Celta Vigo
Athletic Bilbao 2:1 Heusca

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TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY
The biggest moves on deadline day involved La Liga teams, two involving Real Madrid. First they sent defensive midfielder Casemiro to Manchester CIty for a $90.1M fee. They then acquired midfielder Sergei Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio for $104.7M.

Villareal sent midfielder Manu Trigueros to Tottenham Hotspur for $62.5M.

RCD Espanyol fielded some offers but did not move anyone else at the deadline.

The total amount spent across all leagues was $323M.

Here is a summary of Espanyol's transfers since July 1.

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LA LIGA MATCHDAY 3

vs.

DEPORTIVO ALAVES 1:5 RCD ESPANYOL
Mendizorrotza (Capacity: 19,840)


Borja Iglesius celebrates his early goal.

SCORING:
5' - (ESP) - B. Iglesius
22' - (ALA) - M. Garcia
45' - (ESP) - Alena
54' - (ESP) - Granero
69' - (ESP) - Melendo
89' - (ESP) - Melendo

DISCIPLINE:
None

9/1/18
Vitoria-Gasteiz, ESP (AP) - Espanyol picked up their first victory on the 2018-19 campaign on Saturday afternoon with a 5-1 thrashing of Deportivo Alaves at Mendizorratza. Carles Alena and Borja Iglesius each scored a goal and assisted on two others in the victory.

Borja Iglesius got the party started in the fifth minute, taking a pretty pass from Carles Alena at the top of the six yard box. He turned and fired it into the bottom right corner to give Espanyol the early lead.

Deportivo Alaves would find an unlikely equalizer in the 22nd minute, against the run of play. Ibai Gomez stole the ball in the Espanyol penalty area and fed a ball that Many Garcia one-timed into the top right corner to level the score.

From that point forward, Espanyol just dominated the play. They would get their reward just before halftime as Carles Alena one timed a perfect through ball from Igelsius into the upper right corner to send Espanyol to the half with the lead. Alena would send a perfect ball into the box early in the second half thatEstaban Granero would run onto and slip past the Alaves keeper to make it 3-1. Substitute Oscar Melendo would score twice late to close out the scoring as give manager Raul Tamudo his first victory.

Espanyol outshot Alaves 13-4, and held the ball for 58% of the match. Carles Alena picked up Man of the Match honors. The youngster has been everything that Espanyol had hoped for since they acquired him from Barcelona in early August.

RCD Espanyol (1-1-1, 4 pts) returns home after the international break to take on Levante a week from Sunday.

Matchday 3 Results:
Levante UD 0:0 Valencia
Eibar 1:2 Real Sociedad
Getafe 1:1 Rayo Valladolid
Barcelona 2:1 Heusca
Rayo Vallecano 2:1 Athletic Bilbao
Celta Vigo 0:1 Atletico Madrid
Villareal 1:3 Girona
Real Madrid 3:1 CD Leganes
Real Betis 3:1 Sevilla

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LA LIGA MATCHDAY 4

vs.

RCD ESPANYOL 0:3 LEVANTE UD
RCDE Stadium (Capacity: 40,500)


Jose Morales doubled his pleasure on Saturday afternoon in Levante's victory.

SCORING:
20' - (LEV) - Roger
45'+ - (LEV) - J. Morales
73' - (LEV) - J. Morales

DISCIPLINE:
NONE

9/16/18
Barcelona (AP) - RCD Espanyol returned to action on Sunday evening after the international break and looked rather sluggish in a surprising 3-nil home loss to Levante U.D. Jose Morales scored twice for the visitors as RCD Espanyol fell to (1-1-2) on the young season.

Roger got Levante on the scoreboard in the 20th minute following a giveaway from Espanyol in their own end. Samuel Garcia took the ball away from Didac Vila, passed it to Sanjin Prcic, who threaded a beautiful through ball that Roger one-timed home.

Sergi Darder had a chance for an equalizer just moments later, but his shot sailed just over the bar.

Samuel Garcia looked to put the visitors up 2-0 in teh 30th minute as he one-timed a cross past Diego Lopez, but he was ruled to be just offside. It wouldn't matter though as just before the break, Jose Morales scored on a beautiful sliding kick past a diving Lopez in injury time to send visitors to the break up by two. Espanyol controlled play in the opening half, outshooting Levante 11-5 and holding possession for 61% of the time, but they could not cash in on their opportunities.

Sergi Darder once again had a great chance to pull Espanyol back into the match in the 72nd minute, but his shot rolled just past the far post. Jose Morales would then seal it moments later as he hit a cracker off of a rebound past Diego Lopez to make it 3-0.

Espanyol would outshoot Levante 16-15 and held possession for 60% of the match but Levante's defense and counter attacking style limited any good scoring chances and they made the most of their opportunities.

The lone bright spot for Espanyol was the continued strong play from youngster Carles Alena. He found a spot in the starting eleven and he did not disappoint.

Up next for RCD Espanyol, it won't get any easier as they head south to Madrid to take on Real Madrid (3-0-1) next Sunday afternoon. Real Madrid is coming off their first loss on the season, losing on the road to Athletic Club 1-0.

Matchday 4 Results:
Athletic Bilbao 1:0 Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid 3:1 Eibar
Real Sociedad 1:2 Barcelona
Valencia 3:0 Real Betis
CD Leganes 0:1 Villareal
Real Valladolid 1:2 Deportivo Alaves
Girona 2:1 Celta Vigo
Huesca 1:2 Rayo Vallecano
Sevilla 1:0 Getafe

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LA LIGA MATCHDAY 5

vs.

REAL MADRID 1:2 RCD ESPANYOL
Santiago Bernabeu (Capacity: 81,044)


Emmanuel Boateng made a big contribution in huge upset.

SCORING:
11' - (ESP) - E. Boateng
49' - (RMA) - M. Asensio
60' - (ESP) - N. Fernandez (OG)

DISCIPLINE:
90' - (RMA) - A. Odriozola (Yellow)

9/23/18
Madrid, ESP (AP) - RCD Espanyol walked into Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon with a plan, and they carried it out, frustrating one of the top side in Spanish football and stunning Real Madrid 2-1. Manager Raul Tamudo decided that his side would pack it in defensively, then attack Real Madrid on the counter attack and his plan was carried out perfectly.

Tamudo also decided that with this plan, he would need the speed of newcomer Emmanuel Boateng to create chances and that is just what the young striker did. Sengi Darder sent a through ball that Emmanuel Boateng ran onto and one-timed past keeper Thibaut Courtois to give Espanyol a stunning 1-nil lead just 11 minutes in.

Darder would bounced one off of the cross bar just four minutes later on a counter attack off of a beautiful cross from Leo Bautistao.

Real Madrid just could not unlock the Espanyol defense early on, but newcomer Sergej Milinkovic-Savic narrowly missed tying the match with a laser just wide of the right post in the 23rd minute. The teams would go to the half with Espanyol clinging to the 1-nil lead with both sides managing just two shots apiece.

Real Madrid would finally unlock Espanyol very early in half two. Marco Asensio split the Espanyol defense and hit the lower right corner of the net past a diving Diego Lopez to level the match in the 49th minute.

You had the feeling that Real Madrid was going to take over the match and Espanyol might wilt. But it did not happen. Emmanuel Boateng got free again in the 60th minute and his shot was saved by Courtois, but the rebound deflected into his own goal by defender Nacho Fernandez to put Espanyol back in front 2-1.

Real would then turn up the heat. Toni Kross sailed one just over the bar in the 74th minute. Milinkovic-Savic missed again just wide, this time to the left in the 86th minute. Garenth Bale headed one off of the crossbar in the 89th minute off of a corner, but they would not find an equalizer and Espanyol held on to the unlikely win.

Real Madrid would outshoot Espanyol 8-3 with five of those shots on target, but David Lopez was up to the task. Sergi Darder was you Man of the Match playing a solid role in defensive central midfield.

Afterwards, manager Raul Tamudo was elated, "We came in with a plan. It was to limit Real's chances and then take advantage of any opportunities that might come our way. We chose Emmanuel Boateng because of his speed and he was crucial in the victory."

RCD Espanyol improved to (2-1-2) on the season, and (2-1-0) away from RCDE Stadium. Up next is a home date on Wednesday evening against SD Eibar.

Matchday 5 Results:
Barcelona 3:1 Girona
Getafe 1:3 Atletico Madrid
Eibar 2:0 Leganes
Huesca 1:2 Real Sociedad
Rayo Vallecano 0:1 Alaves
Villareal 2:1 Valencia
Celta Vigo 0:2 Real Valladolid
Levante 1:2 Sevilla