ESPANYOL NEWS

League leader Barcelona beats Cadiz 2-0 after turbulent week

Barcelona has left its problems off the field after a turbulent week to beat Cadiz 2-0 and extend its winning streak and lead over Real Madrid in the Spanish league

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fernando Pacheco - Clean sheet in first start Pacheco registered five saves and secured a clean sheet with two clearances in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Elche.

Impact Pacheco had a brilliant debut with his new team, saving five and securing a clean sheet for Espanyol Saturday. He will fight to keep that starting role over Alvaro Fernandez, who has given up seven goals in his previous three starts. The Spaniard was not given an opportunity with his previous team Almeria, only appearing in one match. However, he will likely be the starting goalkeeper next match Saturday against Mallorca after his suburb performance against Elche.

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fernando Calero - Unavailable versus Elche Calero has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Elche.

Impact Calero picked up an injury in the past game, and it'll cost him at least one match. Sergi Gomez is taking his spot in the middle of the defense.

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ronael Pierre-Gabriel - Eligible once more Pierre-Gabriel is eligible for selection in Sunday's trip to Elche after serving a one-match ban.

Impact Pierre-Gabriel picked up a one-match ban after getting sent off but is now eligible to return. The defender will return to the bench more likely than not, as he has been a rotational option even when fully fit and available.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brian Olivan - Scores and sends three crosses Brian Olivan scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), three crosses (two accurate) and one corner in Monday's 3-2 loss against Real Sociedad.

Impact Brian Olivan scored Espanyol's second goal after an impressive one-two sequence with Jose Carlos Lazo, and the left-back continues to deliver exceptional value on the attacking end, especially given his position. Olivan has one goal and five assists through 20 starts this season.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Carlos Lazo - Sets up goal Monday Lazo assisted once to go with zero corners and one chance created in Monday's 3-2 loss to Real Sociedad.

Impact Lazo delivered an impressive one-two with Brian Olivan, and his final through ball set up the team's second goal late in the second half. Lazo has yet to start a match this season, and that's enough to limit his upside, but he has one goal and one assist over his last four outings off the bench.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Darder - Scores against Sociedad Darder scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), six crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Monday's 3-2 defeat to Real Sociedad.

Impact Darder was active as a creative threat and set-piece taker for Espanyol, but he also found the back of the net after pouncing on a rebound following a free kick. The talented playmaker scored for the first time since early November, and while he remains one of the best players for Espanyol, his fantasy impact is not as high since he only has three goals and one assist across 21 starts so far.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leandro Cabrera - Scores own goal, sent off Cabrera was sent off after acquiring two yellow cards in the 94th minute of Monday's 3-2 loss versus Real Sociedad. He registered an own goal, three tackles (two won), four clearan...

Impact Cabrera couldn't have wished for a more unfortunate game, as he nodded home a cross from Takefusa Kubo in what was Sociedad's third goal midway through the second half, but he was also sent off in stoppage time. Cabrera will be suspended for Sunday's game at Elche, and his first chance to return will come on Feb. 25 against Mallorca.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Álvaro Fernández - Gives up three goals Alvaro Fernandez recorded two saves and allowed three goals in Monday's 3-2 defeat against Real Sociedad.

Impact It's hard to blame Fernandez for conceding three goals in this game, as the first one was an impressive volley from Takefusa Kubo, the second one was a tap-in from close range courtesy of Alexander Sorloth, and the third one was an own goal from Leandro Cabrera. Fernandez will try to bounce back in an easier matchup at Elche on Sunday.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kubo scores as Sociedad beats Espanyol 3-2 in Spanish league

Japan forward Takefusa Kubo's first-half goal led third-place Real Sociedad to a 3-2 win at relegation-threatened Espanyol in the Spanish league

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fernando Calero - Comes off before half time Calero (undisclosed) was brought off in the first half of Monday's clash with Sociedad.

Impact Calero was brought off with an undisclosed injury during the first half of Monday's match. The defender wasn't even able to make it to half time and had to come off early. Calero will be a doubt for a Sunday trip to Elche due to the undisclosed issue.

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ronael Pierre-Gabriel - Sent off against Osasuna Perre-Gabriel was shown a red card during first-half stoppage time of Saturday's draw against Osasuna after receiving two bookings in quick succession following a foul on Ez Abde....

Impact Pierre-Gabriel was making his La Liga debut on Saturday after joining Espanyol on-loan from Mainz in January, but he will immediately be handed a suspension of at least one game after his red card. Oscar Gil should return to the XI at right-back while he's suspended for next week's clash against Real Sociedad.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar Regano - Available after suspension Gil will be eligible to return to Espanyol's squad for next week's clash against Real Sociedad.

Impact Gil missed Saturday's draw with Osasuna while suspended for yellow card accumulation, but he will be expected to return to the starting lineup at right-back against Sociedad next week.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Vinicius de Souza Costa - Returning from suspension Souza is eligible to face Real Sociedad next week after serving a one-game suspension.

Impact Souza missed Saturday's draw with Osasuna due to a yellow card suspension, but he should return to the XI in midfield for the Sociedad game next weekend as he's started every single La Liga game this season for which he was not suspended.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brian Olivan - Generates eight crosses Brian Olivan generated eight crosses (one accurate) and three clearances in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Osasuna.

Impact Olivan has surpassed his career high of crosses for a season with 93, which is also the fourth most in the league thus far. He also ups his average crosses a game to 4.8. The 28-year-old also has the third most assists in La Liga with five and it's the most among all defenders.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Javi Puado - Registers first assist of year Javi Puado assisted once to go with two shots (zero on target) in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Osasuna.

Impact Puado got his first assist of the season after earning his fourth straight start. He may return to the bench soon once Nico Melamed (illness) returns to full form again. The 24-year-old has totaled three goals, one assist, 12 crosses (two accurate) and 11 chances created in 19 appearances thus far.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Braithwaite - Nets goal against Osasuna Braithwaite scored one goal to go with four shots (three on target) in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Osasuna.

Impact Braithwaite logged in his second goal in two matches to put him at five on the year. With Joselu doing all the scoring for Espanyol, the 31-year-old usually hangs back, but still produces goals when he can. He is only averaging 1.8 shots a contest with 28 (six on target) on the season.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Álvaro Fernández - Lets in one goal Fernandez had three saves and allowed one goal with one clearance in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Espanyol.

Impact Fernandez only allowed one goal, however was not called upon much in the match on Saturday. He has conceded eight goals with 18 saves in the last six games. The 24-year-old's next match will be against a visit from Real Sociedad next Monday, in which he let in two last meeting on Sep 18. However, the opponent has only scored six goals in the last five contests.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fernando Pacheco - Transfers to Espanyol Pacheco has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Espanyol after transferring from Almeria, the club announced Tuesday.

Impact Pacheco made just one La Liga appearance for Almeria, a 2-1 defeat to Villarreal in October. The 30-year-old is now moving to Espanyol, where he will challenge Alvaro Fernandez for the starting goalkeeper spot following the departure of Benjamin Lecomte.

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slow transfer day in Spain; Barcelona gets to register Gavi

Forget about signing new players

JANUARY 31, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jose Gragera - Signs with Espanyol Gragera signed with Espanyol from Gijon, Espanyol announced Tuesday.

Impact Gragera signed with Espanyol on a 5-and-a-half year contract Tuesday. The midfielder is just entering his prime and now gets to test his talent in the Spain's top division after an impressive early career with Gijon. Gragera will likely start out as a rotational option while he works to gel with his new side.

JANUARY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Denis Suarez - Loaned to Espanyol Suarez has joined Espanyol on a six-month loan from Celta Vigo, the club announced Tuesday.

Impact Suarez was frozen out at Celta Vigo and hadn't appeared at all this season despite wracking up a combined five goals and 20 assists across his previous three La Liga campaigns with the club. The 29-year-old mifielder is now moving on-loan to Espanyol for the remainder of the campaign.

JANUARY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Vinicius de Souza Costa - Banned yet again Souza is set to serve a one-match ban for yellow card accumulation.

Impact Souza will miss a second match due to suspension, this comes just three matches after he was suspended due to a red card. The defensive midfielder isn't shy about ending up in the referee's book, and will now be sidelined. Souza is set to return for a Feb. 13 match against Sociedad.

JANUARY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar Regano - Suspended against Osasuna Gil will be suspended for Saturday's clash with Osasuna due to yellow card accumulation.

Impact Gil picked up a fifth yellow card and is now set to serve a one-match ban for yellow card accumulation. The defender is eligible to return for a Feb. 13 match against Sociedad. It's unclear who will replace Gil, who has made starts on either flank in recent matches.

JANUARY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE