Espanyol complicates its life and prolongs the suffering until the end

BarcelonaEspanyol are making things difficult for themselves and will have to fight for survival on the final matchday. The Blue and Whites were the only team involved in the fight for survival that didn't do their job: they fell 2-0 at Sadar and spent the penultimate bullet they had left to secure their continued presence in the top flight. Their fifth consecutive defeat, combined with the victories of Alavés and Getafe—already mathematically secured—and, especially, Leganés' victory at Las Palmas, forces Manolo González's team to match the Madrid side's result from the last matchday. Both teams will host relegated opponents: Espanyol against Las Palmas, Leganés against Valladolid.

In a packed Sadar stadium, Osasuna came out with more intensity and eager to dominate an Espanyol that gave a warning first. Expósito set up Puado inside the box, who shot hard but wide. From then on, the afternoon of transistor radios began to announce unfavorable news for Espanyol's interests. Leganés took an early lead with a Raba header, and shortly after, Kike García, from the penalty spot, put Alavés ahead.

In Pamplona, ​​​​meanwhile, Osasuna opened the scoring with a fortunate goal. Budimir deflected Aimar Oroz's shot with his body and caught Joan García off guard, who was unable to react to prevent the goal. A few minutes later, the Croatian appealed for a penalty for insufficient contact with Calero, which the referee did not punish. Espanyol reacted too timidly to the Navarrese pressure, who needed a win to go into the final matchday with a chance of European contention. Without many ideas inside or the ability to surprise from the outside, they only troubled Herrera with long-range and centered shots from Expósito and Romero.

As if the afternoon wasn't going badly enough, Kumbulla picked up a yellow card that will rule him out of next week. After the break, Getafe also secured their survival with two goals almost consecutively, leaving Espanyol as the only team Leganés could catch on the final day. Manolo González tried to add more attacking arguments with the introduction of Pere Milla and Veliz. And, at times, the Blue and Whites took advantage of the Navarrese team easing up a bit to take a step forward. Expósito, Roberto, and Puado had different clear chances to at least scratch out a point, but Herrera denied them a draw. Espanyol lacked accuracy, and Osasuna sealed the deal in the final stretch.

The last hope for the Pericas was a goal from Las Palmas that would have settled the fight for survival, but it never came. The Canaries, who could have been Espanyol's ally against Leganés, will be the Blue and Whites' main obstacle in a thrilling, transistor-fueled final matchday. The Blue and Whites need to revive their spirits and manage a final at the RCDE Stadium where anxiety will be key. Surely, only victory will count. All or nothing.