Espanyol are determined to throw the Cup away

BarcelonaEspanyol's Copa del Rey run lasted just one match. Manolo González's team was eliminated from the tournament after a narrow defeat. at the Atlético Baleares field, A rival playing two divisions below, in the Segunda RFEF. A goal by Jaume Tovar in the 54th minute was enough to defeat Espanyol, who have now fallen in the early rounds for two consecutive seasons against a theoretically weaker opponent. Last season It was Barbastro who led them to make a fool of themselves, although in that case the team was not doing as well in the League as this year.

As expected, Manolo González rotated his starting lineup to give playing time to less frequent starters, such as backup goalkeeper Fortuño, defenders Rubén Sánchez, Miguel Rubio, and Pedro Salinas, and forwards Koleosho and Antoniu Roca. Players more accustomed to league minutes, like Edu Expósito, Kike García, and Jofre Carreras, did start, but they were unable to beat Julián Rivas, the Balearic goalkeeper, even once. Rivas had an inspired night, as did most of his teammates. Tovar was the one who delivered the opening goal at the Estadio Balear, thanks to a clever finish after a rebound in the six-yard box. With this lead secured, Atlético pressed for more than half an hour to protect it.