Overview
- Barcelona beat Espanyol 2-0 at the RCDE Stadium with Dani Olmo scoring in the 86th minute and Robert Lewandowski adding a 90th-minute second, both set up by Fermín López.
- Goalkeeper Joan García, on his first game back at Espanyol since his summer move, was named man of the match after six saves and a composed display under a hostile reception.
- Espanyol pressed and created clear chances through Pere Milla and Roberto Fernández, with Marko Dmitrovic also producing a point-blank stop to deny Eric García before the late goals.
- Hansi Flick acknowledged Barcelona “did not deserve” the win based on the first 80 minutes and praised García as “one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”
- The victory extended Barcelona’s LaLiga winning streak to nine and initially opened a seven-point lead, which Real Madrid later reduced to four after a 5-1 victory over Real Betis; Barcelona now prepare for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.