BARCELONA: Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski struck late as Barcelona escaped with a 2-0 victory over city rivals Espanyol on Saturday, moving seven points clear at the top of La Liga after being outplayed for long periods in a fiery derby at the RCDE Stadium.
Barca owed much of their ninth consecutive league win to goalkeeper Joan Garcia, whose outstanding display against his former club kept the champions level before the late breakthrough. Coach Hansi Flick admitted his side were second best for much of the contest, but praised Garcia’s decisive contribution.
“We didn’t deserve it, I’ll be honest,” Flick said.
“But the quality we brought on after the changes decided the game. First of all, thank you to Joan Garciab – he played unbelievably. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”
Espanyol, fifth heading into the match, enjoyed the clearer chances in a tense first half and tested Barca’s high defensive line repeatedly.
Roberto Fernandez went clean through on goal but was denied by Garcia, who then reacted sharply to divert Pere Milla’s follow-up effort. Garcia later produced a superb save to tip Milla’s close-range header wide.
The goalkeeper faced a hostile reception from home supporters after becoming Espanyol’s first player to join Barcelona in more than 30 years last summer. Safety nets were installed behind the goals, with fans whistling throughout and displaying banners aimed at the former favourite.
Espanyol continued to press after the break, with Garcia again denying Fernandez as the forward attempted to round him, while Jules Kounde cleared one effort off the line. Barca’s first clear opportunity arrived only in the 70th minute, when Marko Dmitrovic made a remarkable save to block Eric Garcia from point-blank range.
Flick’s substitutions ultimately swung the match. Fermin Lopez surged forward in the 86th minute before teeing up Olmo, who curled a precise finish into the top right corner on his return from a dislocated shoulder. Lopez then set up Lewandowski in stoppage time, the striker delicately lifting the ball over Dmitrovic to seal the result.
“I don’t celebrate the first 80 minutes,” Flick admitted. “But the three points are a massive message to La Liga.”
Elsewhere, Villarreal moved provisionally into third with a 3-1 win at Elche, while second-placed Real Madrid host Real Betis on Sunday. – AFP
