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Barcelona Pull Away in LaLiga With Late Derby Win at Espanyol

Hansi Flick said Joan Garcia’s saves on his hostile return to Espanyol made the difference.

Overview

  • Substitutes Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski struck in the 86th and 90th minutes to seal a 2-0 victory at the RCDE Stadium.
  • Fermín López came off the bench to set up both goals, changing the game after Barcelona had struggled to create chances.
  • Goalkeeper Joan Garcia produced a season-high six saves to preserve the clean sheet against his former club despite jeers, banners, mock banknotes and protective nets behind the goals.
  • Flick praised Garcia as "one of the best goalkeepers in the world" and acknowledged Barcelona "didn’t deserve" the result for much of the match.
  • The win extends Barcelona’s LaLiga lead to seven points and a nine-match league winning run, halting Espanyol’s five-game streak, with a Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Athletic Bilbao up next.