La Liga 2016/17: Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol, 5 Talking Points

#3 Espanyol looked lethargic

Reyes didn’t conjure many chances for Espanyol and had to do a lot of defending

Any team cannot afford to come to the Bernabeu and expect to give Real Madrid a run for their money by being tardy. However, Espanyol were just that yesterday, especially in their attacking play. The likes of Jose Antonio Reyes, Jurado, Gerard Moreno and Piatti could hardly muster anything in the Real half, and were not eager to drop deep and create either.

The side from Catalunya should be thankful that Real’s wayward passing in the final third and the brilliance of their backline – especially Duarte – to not lose by a much bigger margin. This was Espanyol’s second loss on the trot and their 19^th against Madrid in all competitions, and it is hardly a surprise to see why, given their jadedness and lack of imagination.