Granada welcomed Espanyol to the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes on Sunday looking to record their second league victory of the season.
The home side shaded the possession in the first period, but neither could make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
The second half followed a similar pattern, but Espanyol secured all the points when Manuel Lanzarote bent an effort into the top corner with 15 minutes remaining.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two La Liga rivals.
Morning all! Sunday’s action in La Liga opens from the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes as Granada welcome Espanyol. The home side have taken four points from their first three matches of the new season, while Espanyol are unbeaten following two draws and a win thus far. Both will see this game as a chance to put three points on the board.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Granada have enjoyed the best of it with two wins from the last four matches, with Espanyol also winning once and the other ending in a draw. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a forgettable goalless draw, but Granada took all three points away to Espanyol in April.
Granada did not make too many noises in La Liga last season, eventually finishing 15th in the table, some six points ahead of the bottom three. A similar finish could be on the cards this season, but Lucas Alcaraz has made some clever signings in the shape of Piti and Riki – who arrived from Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo La Coruna respectively.
They opened their campaign with an impressive 2-1 win away to Osasuna, before welcoming Real Madrid on August 26. They matched Carlo Ancelotti’s side for long periods, but a strike from Karim Benzema secured all the points. They picked up their fourth league point of the season last time out with a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo.
When Javier Aguirre took charge of Espanyol in November 2012, the club were languishing in the bottom three of La Liga. The experienced Mexican performed miracles in the second part of the campaign, however, with the 54-year-old leading them to a comfortable 13th-place finish. The early indications are that a top-half finish could be on the cards this season.
They had to recover from 2-0 behind to pick up a point in their opening match of the season against Celta Vigo, but they found it more comfortable against Valencia on August 24, when they recorded all three points in a 3-1 win. They continued their confident start to the season with a point at home to Real Betis last time out.
TEAMS:
GRANADA XI: Roberto; Diakhate, Angulo, Nyom, Murillo; Buonanotte, Benitez, Rico, Pereira; Recio, Riki
ESPANYOL XI: Casilla; Colotto, Raul, Fuentes, J Lopez; Simao, Sanchez, Abraham, Lanzarote; D Lopez, Garcia
So there we have it. No Mainz in the Granada XI this morning, but Diego Buonanotte comes in for a rare start. Piti is unavailable through injury, meanwhile, but Riki is selected in attack. Espanyol, meanwhile, leave Pizzi on the bench with Lanzarote and David Lopez both coming into the side.
Let me just bring you up to date with what we have to come this afternoon in La Liga. From 3.30pm, you can join us for build-up of Getafe against Osasuna ahead of a 4pm start, before Malaga welcome Rayo Vallecano in the penultimate match of the evening. Sunday’s action will be concluded with Real Betis against Valencia.
Right, we are just about two minutes from kickoff on this warm morning at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes. Following the completion of the pre-match handshakes and the exchanging of flags, we will be ready to get the action underway. Let's hope for an open affair between these two Spanish rivals.
Just about time for my pre-match prediction before the match gets underway. Both sides have made encouraging starts to the season and I expect that to continue with a share of the spoils. I have a feeling that the two teams could cancel each other out for long periods. Right, the away side get this La Liga encounter underway.
Far from a full house inside the stadium this afternoon, but there is a good atmosphere. It would be safe to say that teams in Spain are not a fan of the early starts on Sunday, but three points are up for grabs. Neither side has settled thus far with the ball spending more time in the air than on the ground. That could be a feature of the action.
It's good work from Simao as the Portuguese collects possession on the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Nyom is on hand to make the challenge. Garcia picks up the pieces just outside the box, but the Espanyol skipper is fouled. The resulting free kick, however, is delivered straight into the wall.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with neither side able to keep hold of the ball for an extended period. That prompts Javier Aguirre to call for calm on the sidelines. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of match. Let's hope that it isn't a goalless draw!
Opportunity for the home side to threaten from a free kick just outside the Espanyol box, Benitez takes the set piece, but he fires it straight into the wall. It falls to Pereira just outside the box, but his wild swing is high and wide of the crossbar. The tempo is just starting to rise after a fairly low-key opening eight minutes.
Granada have just started to enjoy more of the possession in advanced areas with Benitez and Rico seeing plenty of the ball, but Riki has been left isolated in the final third thus far. Down the other end, Victor Sanchez attempts to force the issue with a deep ball into the box, but the danger is cleared. Neither side has really threatened to open the scoring with 10 minutes on the clock.
The referee is getting some stick from the home supporters at the moment as he fails to award a free kick to Riki, despite the Granada forward being pulled to the ground by Colotto. Espanyol are the team attempting to play the football, however, while the home side look to play long at every opportunity. Not the best spectacle with 13 minutes on the clock.
Good spell of possession for the home side in and around the Espanyol box, but they have been unable to find that elusive pass in the final third thus far. Eventually Diakhate tries his luck from outside the box, but his effort moves high and wide of the crossbar. Espanyol are down the other end moments later with Simao, but the Portuguese cannot find a teammate inside a crowded box.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes with both sides guilty of losing possession too readily in the opposing half. Espanyol have made some good ground with a couple of free kicks, but the overall quality has been poor. It is the type of match that is in desperate need of a goal.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Benitez delivers a dangerous free kick into the box, but Casilla just manages to clear under pressure from Riki. Sergio Garcia carries possession down the other end for the away side moments later, but once more it breaks down. Fairly forgettable opening 20 minutes between these two Spanish rivals.
Angulo has been involved in advanced areas for the home side in the last couple of minutes with the defender delivering a number of dangerous balls into the Espanyol box, but the away side continue to clear the danger. Another deep cross, this time from Benitez, threatens Espanyol moments later, but Casilla is able to watch it behind for a goal kick.
It has not been a match littered with poor challenges, but the tempo has certainly been interrupted by a series of untidy fouls from both teams. The latest allows the away side the chance to fashion an opportunity from outside the box, but Simao can only smash his effort straight into the wall, which just about sums up what we have seen thus far. We are in need of some inspiration.
Granada continue to look for the through pass beyond the Espanyol defence, but Riki is not the type of striker that will burst beyond the opposing defence. Victor Sanchez is in the wars moments later as he takes a boot in the face from Recio, but the referee does not issue a card. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock in this La Liga encounter.
Bit of retribution from Sanchez as the Espanyol striker dives into a challenge with Recio, clattering the Spaniard in the process. It presents Benitez with the chance to whip another free kick into the box, but Espanyol manage to clear for a corner. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.
CHANCE! Granada come within an inch of taking the lead as Casilla comes to collect a Recio corner, only for the ball to move through his hands. However, the Spaniard just about manages to claw it away from goal. It was a real horror moment for Casilla, but he gets away with it. Hopefully that will liven things up in the latter stages of the first period.
Half-chance for Fuentes as the Espanyol centre-back meets a cross from Simao, but he can only plant his header over the crossbar. The opportunities are just starting to arrive with both sides taking more chances in the final third. The free-kick count continues to rise, meanwhile, with both sides giving away a number of fouls outside the penalty area.
Benitez has another opportunity to create something from a wide area as the Spaniard is felled by Colotto. However, once more his delivery is short of the required standard. Unfortunately, the match has just become ever so scrappy in the last few minutes with both sides guilty of some poor challenges. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes with both sides struggling to keep possession of the ball, which has been the story of the first period. Each time a side has a period with the ball, it is quickly brought to an end with another foul. Overall, the quality has been very poor between these two teams.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both teams prepared to commit numbers in the final third. Diakhate becomes the first player to enter the book moments later for a poor challenge on Garcia, who has been unable to influence proceedings thus far. Little under five minutes of the first period remaining.
Casilla is called into action once more as Benitez delivers a looping cross into the box, but the Espanyol stopper is able to gather proceedings. The away side have possession down the other end moments later with Lopez, but once more the Spaniard cannot find a teammate. That has been the story of the first period thus far.
It's better from Espanyol as they work the ball from left to right before Lanzarote delivers a cross into the box, but Roberto is on hand to collect with relative ease. I shouldn't think that the referee will add too much time at the end of the first period. Unfortunately, it has been a 45 minutes short of quality.
HALF TIME: Granada 0-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. The standout moment of the match came following a mistake from Casilla as the Espanyol goalkeeper almost allowed a corner to slip through his fingers, but the Spaniard managed to claw clear at the second time of asking.
STATISTICS: The home side have just about shaded the possession with 54%, but both sides have managed just one attempt off-target apiece. The early stages promised so much with a good level of intensity, but neither team has been able to influence proceedings in the final third of the pitch.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Alvaro Garcia, El-Arabi and Ighalo. Meanwhile, Espanyol have the likes of Pizzi, Stuani and Bifouma in reserve. I would be surprised if we did not see a host of changes if the scores remain level with around 30 minutes of football remaining.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. There have been no changes for either side at the interval. You just get the feeling that this match could be decided by the single goal. Let's hope that the second period brings more incidents. The home side get the action underway.
Excuse me, there has been one change at the interval for the home side with Mainz entering the field in place of Diakhate. It is not yet clear whether the defender suffered an injury, but he had been booked in the first period. Half-chance for Riki in the early stages of the second half, but the experienced Spaniard can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar from distance.
Simao has another opportunity to deliver a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but once more his free kick is short of the required standard. Granada break down the other end moments later, but Angulo can only curl his effort wide of the post. Hopefully that is a sign of things to come in the second period.
Good spell for Granada in the last couple of moments with Rico and Benitez starting to see more of the ball in the final third. Meanwhile, Angulo has been given a licence to move forward in the early stages of the second period. One goal would certainly open up proceedings. The tempo has certainly improved since the interval.
Again Benitez is involved for the home side as he moves past two challenges before delivering a low cross into the box, but Casilla is on hand to collect. Benitez does find a red and white shirt moments later as he cuts back towards Riki, but once more the former Deportivo La Coruna striker's effort is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Espanyol look to their bench for the first time this evening as Abraham, who has struggled to influence proceedings, is replaced by Stuani. The powerful striker will certainly provide some support to Garcia in the final third. This match is certainly there to win, with one goal quite probably enough to take all the points.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Raul as the Espanyol defender finds some space in a crowded box, but he can only plant his header high and wide of the crossbar. In a match with few chances, that is some opportunity for the Spaniard. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining with the score still level at 0-0.
Espanyol make their second change of the match in quick succession as Thievy Bifouma enters the field in place of Garcia, who has struggled to make an impact this afternoon. So, all-new strike force for the away side in the final 30 minutes or so. It is certainly a surprise that the home side have not yet looked to their bench. You just get the feeling that the opportunities will start to arrive as the match approaches its latter stages.
It's good work from Riki as the Spaniard bursts into the Espanyol box before finding Benitez, but the Granada skipper can only clip his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Espanyol are down the other end with Stuani moments later, but the striker cannot find Simao in a wide area. The match is certainly starting to open up with little over 25 minutes of football remaining.
Another half-chance for the home side as Pereira collects possession just inside his own half before advancing towards goal, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that if a goal is to arrive, then it will be from a set piece or a mistake. In truth, it has been just about as poor as you could imagine in the opening 67 minutes of football.
Granada make their first change of the match as Ighalo replaces Benitez, who has just returned from injury. Good spell for the home side in the last couple of moments with Ighalo immediately involved inside the opposing box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Casilla. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining, with the scores still level at 0-0.
Colotto takes matters into his own hands with a half-volley from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the target. Buonanotte is involved for the home side moments later as he drives past two challenges outside the box, before Raul brings the Argentine to the ground. The resulting free kick is taken by Rico, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
The tempo has certainly been raised in the last few moments with both sides forcing the issue with deep crosses into the opposing box, but the two goalkeepers have been nice and steady in the second period. We are getting to the stage in the match where a single goal should be enough to claim all the points. The referee awards a back-pass moments later, presenting Espanyol with an indirect free kick inside the box.
GOAL! Granada 0-1 Espanyol (Lanzarote)
It is stunning from Lanzarote as the midfielder bends a wonderful effort into the top corner following the indirect free kick. The home side are not happy about the award, but Espanyol lead with little over 10 minutes of football remaining. Can Granada respond?
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side as Riki finds a bit of space in the box before attempting to poke an effort home from close range, but somehow Espanyol manage to clear the danger. It is a different match now with the intensity continuing to rise. The home side make their first change as El-Arabi replaces Riki.
Espanyol also make their third and final change of the match as Simao is replaced by Alex Fernandez, who will provide legs on the left of the field. The away side continue to force the issue with a series of free kicks into the box, but Granada manage to clear the danger.
RED CARD! Ighalo (Granada) The home side are reduced to 10 men as Ighalo is shown his second yellow card in quick succession. The forward has not long been on the field, but now his side must play the remainder of the match a man short.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with Granada coming close with a strike from Recio, before Victor Sanchez plants one over the crossbar from outside the box. Lanzarote has a chance to secure all the points in the next attack, but somehow he places wide of the target from close range.
Good possession for Espanyol in the last couple of moments with the away side just attempting to run down the clock. This match will not live long in the memory there is no question about that, but it would be a fantastic three points for the Javier Aguirre's side. Little over three minutes of normal time remaining.
Real sense of frustration from the home side in the last few minutes with Nyom the latest to be booked for a late challenge on Lopez. Granada advance down the other end with Rico, but once more the danger is cleared. Time is not on Granada's side as the final minute draws ever closer.
The fourth official indicates that we will pay an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Granada are doing their best to raise the tempo, but Espanyol continue to interrupt the flow. Little over one minute of football remaining. Espanyol are close to securing a vital three points.
FULL TIME: Granada 0-1 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the action to an end with Espanyol collecting all three points courtesy of that piece of magic from Lanzarote after the referee had awarded an indirect free kick inside the Granada box. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us from 3.30pm for three more La Liga fixtures. Until then!
