Following last week’s draw between Espanyol B and SCR Penya Deportiva at the RCDE Stadium, the Blue and Whites visited Terrassa FC at the Olympic Stadium of Terrassa for matchday 26 in Group III of the Second RFEF.
Víctor Cea presented a very recognizable starting eleven for the match, with Llorenç Serred, Marcos Fernández, and Tim Caroutas as the changes compared to the last starting lineup.
Espanyol B on Top in the First Half
In the early stages of the match, Espanyol B controlled the game, with the Pericos launching attacks down the wings and imposing their style of play: keeping possession and seeking quick counter-attacks. In fact, the Blue and Whites had several corner kicks, but it wasn’t until the 22nd minute that the clear chance arrived, as José Ángel drove in from the edge of the box and delivered a dangerous cross that Omar Sadik narrowly missed.
With the tactical formation (4-1-3-2) becoming increasingly clear, Espanyol’s reserve team felt comfortable at the Olympic Stadium of Terrassa. However, around the 30th minute mark, Terrassa FC began to press higher up the pitch against the Blue and Whites, causing serious problems for the goal defended by Llorenç Serred. In fact, they had two clear chances in quick succession: one from Gil Muntadas, who couldn’t quite get a shot away, and another from the edge of the area, where Martí Soler shot at goal, but the Perico goalkeeper made a good save low down.
The first half ended in a goalless draw, but the first 45 minutes provided many chances, especially for Pericos, although the Terrassa side had a very clear opportunity to take the lead.
A More Even Second Half
The second half continued where the first half left off. The match was very evenly contested, with defenses standing out more than attacks. In fact, in the 60th minute, Terrassa FC had two chances in a row, but Llorenç Serred was precise in stopping these attempts. However, in a quick counter-attack, the Perico reserve team broke forward with Almansa as the protagonist, reaching the byline, but the home goalkeeper, Marcos Pérez, deflected the ball for a corner.
With the score still level, Víctor Cea sought a clear change in tactical formation. He switched from 4-1-3-2 to 3-5-2, dropping Justin Smith into the backline, placing Miguel Londoño as a pivot, and pushing Marcos Fernández forward on the left wing. In fact, from the 65th minute onwards, they began to play looking for these runs down the left, but they did not materialize into a goal.
In the final ten minutes, both teams began to rush. However, with the changes made, the Perico reserve team wanted to go for the win, and the home side sought to maintain the draw to continue adding points in the standings.
Ultimately, points were shared between both teams, with Espanyol B trying but failing to convert their chances. A point away from home allows them to continue adding points and not fall out of the playoff places, although it is still necessary to know the result of the CF Badalona Futur vs. Torrent match to know how the Perico reserve team finishes this matchday in the league table.
Match Details
Terrassa FC: Marcos Pérez; Robert Simón (Víctor Sanchís, 92′), Gylermo Siereveld, Sem Dirks, Jordi Palacios; Martí Soler, Víctor Morales, Jofre Cherta, Gil Muntadas (Gallastegui, 70′); Aythami Perera (Montani, 80′), Tom Boere (Van Den Heerik, 70′)
RCD Espanyol B: Llorenç Serred; José Ángel, Hugo Caroz, Xavi Rufo, Marcos Fernández; Justin Smith, Rafa Bauza, Tim Caroutas (Lluc Castell, 76′), Àlex Almansa (Leo Salazar, 64′); Miguel Londoño (Jan Moreno, 87′), Omar Sadik (Víctor Mingo, 64′)
Goals: 0-0
Referee: Javier Villaescusa Alarcón (Valencian Committee)
Yellow Cards: José Ángel (25′) Miguel Londoño (82′)
Red Cards: None.
Incidents: Olympic Stadium of Terrassa. Approximately 600 spectators.