Overview
- Dani Olmo scored in the 86th minute and Robert Lewandowski added a 90th-minute finish, both assisted by Fermín López, to secure Barcelona’s 2-0 win at Espanyol.
- Goalkeeper Joan García, facing his former club, produced a season-high six saves and earned man-of-the-match honors in a hostile environment with safety netting installed behind the goals.
- Hansi Flick credited García as “unbelievable” and conceded Barcelona “did not deserve” the result for the first 80 minutes, noting that second-half substitutions changed the game.
- The victory marked Barcelona’s ninth straight LaLiga win and initially opened a seven-point lead, later trimmed to four after Real Madrid beat Real Betis 5-1 on Sunday.
- Barcelona next play Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final on Jan. 7, carrying momentum but mindful of their early struggles in the derby.