Unfair defeat
The white and blue offered a good image adversus Sporting in a match where the ref and the pitch had a lot to do with the outcome.
Espanyol has lost just by one goal in their premiere in Asturian lands versus Sporting on a match with a terrible pitch condition plus the ref mistakes which meant a heavy burden for Espanyol.
In spite of that, the match was controlled by Espanyol and the best chances were always for the catalans. Sporting conquered the Ramón Losada Trophy thanks to a free kick and little more. Just to get an idea it was Juan Pablo, the goalie, the best for Sporting with a great difference.
The first shock was the state of the pitch. It was completely atrocious, incredible for Asturias especially when they are used to organise this type of matches with first division teams many years now. After all the idea was to avoid in as much as possible any kind of injury for the players. Everybody expected more, especially when Gregory got injured alone when he did a wrong movement with his foot trying to shoot the ball away.
Espanyol controlled the game during the first half an hour. Kameni only had a save to a direct shot from Morán. In between, Luis García enjoyed a good chance, his shot passing by very close at Juan Pablo’s right plus another weak shot from Iván Alonso.
Having controlled the game, the ref blew a very doubtful foul at the front of the penalty area by Coro to Jose Angel. Coro complained to the ref that there was no foul at all. It was a golden opportunity for a good shooter and Sangoy did not pass his chance. Kameni could not do anything with such a precise kick.
From thereafter, the ref became protagonist of the game, he didn’t apply equal justice for both teams and he proved that when Alvaro fell in the area, the linesman considered foul against Sporting but he left that action un penalised. That made the game a bit more physical ended with Iván Alonso absolutely mad with Jose Angel. The Uruguayan forward had to apologise at half time.
Pochettino considers these two games as mere practice so that he replaced the eleven players at half time. The second half team put Sporting to the edge of the field. Verdú and Callejón performed a very good action ended in a corner kick, deserving an ovation from the fans.
Shortly afterwards, Osvaldo sent the ball to the bar and in 68 minute, Rui Fonte took the ball to Juan Pablo but Iván Hernández saved under the bar. Verdú enjoyed another good chance after an excellent action by Callejón. But Espanyol tried their best till the final blow without being rewarded with any goal at all.
Game stats
Real Sporting: Juan Pablo, Pedro, José Ángel, Ayoze (Barral, m.66), Sangoy (Diego Castro, m.66), Bilic (Sergio, m.79), Gregory (Jorge, m.16), Iván Hernández, Luis Morán (Nacho Novo, m.66), Marcos Landeira and Matabuena.
RCD Espanyol (First Half): Kameni, Chica, J. Marquez, Dídac, Luis García, Coro, Moisés, Iván LM, Álvaro, Galán and Raúl Rodríguez.
Second half: Kiko Casilla, David García, Callejón J. Verdú, Osvaldo, Forlín, Amat, Molina, Pau, Rui Fonte and Javi López.
Goal: 1-0: Sangoy (m..33).
Referee: Sr. Coronas Durán (C.Asturiano). Yellow card Landeira (m.87) and Molina (m.77).
Incidence: 3.000 spectators. Germán de la Cruz represented the club. The journalist José María García attended the match.
