Goal fest and co-leadership: a staging to get excited

Cornellà de LlobregatIt hasn't even been four months since Levante last visited the RCDE Stadium. That night, cold for April, very few would have imagined that in 2026 both teams would meet again in the First Division. Espanyol, who hadn't won for 16 matchdays, was on the path to the abyss, and Levante, who didn't take the three points because they hit the crossbar in the final play, were halfway to the Second Division.

Oh, if Dmitrovic hadn't deflected Carlos Álvarez's shot onto the post! That save was crucial for the future of the 'periquitos', who were mentally and footballistically blocked at the time. Quite the opposite of what was seen yesterday, with a team uninhibited and playing excellent football, they thrashed (3-0) the 'granota' team with two goals from the reborn Roberto, the top scorer of the first weekend of the competition, and another from Dolan to become co-leaders of the League – Alavés also won 3-0. There is reason to be hopeful.

The illusion of the first day

In Cornellà, the heat was much greater, and the anguish of that Monday in April had turned into excitement: that of the first day of school; with the squad halfway there and with some administrative absences – four of Levante's new signings didn't play because they hadn't been registered with the League yet and Cabrera was left out of the squad due to a suspension he carried over from last year – but with the emotion of the official debut.

Since the agonizing Espanyol 0-0 Levante, the most significant change at the Catalan club has been the arrival of Monchi, who this summer is doing what he can with the few resources he has. Among the new faces at Espanyol, Hinojo, Javi Hernández, Calatrava, and Unai Núñez started in an eleven designed to link up and be protagonists with the ball, the desire of a Manolo González who has always adapted to the players he has. Cala, Expósito, and Hernández took just a couple of minutes to find each other between the lines and make the more than 28,000 white-and-blue faithful, who went to the RCDE Stadium with renewed spirits, rise from their seats.

A goal in five minutes

Roberto, pointed out last season for his lack of goals, had enough with five to score the first of this season. The Andalusian forward, more of a starter than ever due to Kike's long-term injury, pounced on a loose ball inside the box that preceded a free-kick taken by Expósito. A dream start to the season for Manolo González, who is very clear that his objective is to reach 42 points as soon as possible.

The arrival of Cala and Javi Hernández, accompanied by the tireless Dolan, made the 'periquitos' regain their competitive hunger, lost in the second half of last season. All three, daring with the ball and hardworking without it, ran themselves ragged to disrupt the build-up from the back of an opponent deprived of Carlos Espí and practically sterile throughout the match. Not only that; Hernández was close to scoring the second with a personal play culminating in a powerful shot that Ryan parried. And shortly after, the Australian goalkeeper thwarted Cala's goal with another good save.

The third time's the charm. With a great pass, Hinojo found Hernández between the lines, who set up Roberto for the goal. The striker only needed to touch it to score his brace and make it 2-0 just before halftime. A first half to frame.

Being a wall again

Espanyol wanted more and, although Levante made changes at halftime, it was the 'periquitos' who came closest to scoring: a run by Roberto led to a loss by Ryan that Dolan was on the verge of capitalizing on. Manolo's selective high press was effective, and at the back, Unai Núñez and Riedel had everything under control.

To the delight of the Galician coach, obsessed with regaining the defensive reliability of late 2025, Dmitrovic's miracles were not needed yesterday, as he didn't have to make any saves. A clean sheet is one of the big pieces of news from the match, which was sealed by Dolan with a shot from the edge of the box. 3-0 for a brave Espanyol who secured their first three points of the season with a thrashing, exciting their fans with goals and football. Next Saturday, they host Real Madrid in Mourinho's debut.