ESPANYOL NEWS

Almeria beats Espanyol 3-1 to stay unbeaten after World Cup

Almeria has eased to a 3-1 win over Espanyol at home and remains unbeaten since the Spanish league restarted following the World Cup

JANUARY 27, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ruben Sanchez Saez - Assists off bench Ruben Sanchez assisted once to go with one chance created in Friday's 3-1 loss to Almeria.

Impact Sanchez made yet another appearance off the bench, however this resulted in his first assist of the campaign. A hamstring injury has kept the young 21-year-old sidelined for a big chunk of the season as he is working back to regain full fitness. In eight appearances he has totaled one assist, 16 crosses (two accurate) and 12 tackles (six won) thus far.

JANUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mato Joselu - Back on score board Joselu scored one goal to go with one shot (one on target) and one chance created in Friday's 3-1 loss against Almeria.

Impact Joselu returned to the scoresheet for his fourth goal in five matches. He is just two away from tying Robert Lewandowski for the golden boot lead in La Liga. The 32-year-old is also three away from tying his career high in what has been his best season of his career thus far. He Is averaging 2.5 shots a contest, but will see a tough time against his next opponent Osasuna on Saturday, where he failed to score against them earlier in the season.

JANUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Álvaro Fernández - Four saves in loss Alvaro Fernandez made four saves and allowed three goals in Friday's 3-1 loss against Almeria.

Impact Fernandez struggled on Friday, tying his season high for goals conceded despite making four saves on Friday. Now that Benjamin Lecomte left the team to Montpellier, the 24-year-old will be the main goalkeeper for the remainder of the season. He is averaging 3.3 saves a game, however is also averaging 1.5 goals allowed a contest. The Spaniard will face Osasuna for the first time this campaign next Saturday, who have scored eight goals in the last six matches.

JANUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MATCHDAY: Man City-Arsenal in FA Cup; Leipzig can cut gap

Manchester City hosts Arsenal in the FA Cup, but it is a match that could have a wider impact on the race for the Premier League title

JANUARY 26, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Adria Pedrosa - Ruled out yet again Pedrosa (groin) is out for Friday's trip to Almeria, after failing to make the initial squad list.

Impact Pedrosa hasn't played in over four months and doesn't seem to be nearing a return, having yet to appear even in training. Brian Olivan will continue in the starting XI with Pedrosa sidelined.

JANUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Melamed Ribaudo - Active in squad Melamed (illness) is in the traveling squad for Friday's clash with Almeria.

Impact Melamed returns to the traveling squad after illness cost him the first matches back from the World Cup break. The midfielder saw limited playing time before the World Cup break and will likely remain a depth option.

JANUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Braithwaite - Claims all three points Braithwaite scored a goal while taking two shots (both on goal) and creating two chances during Saturday's 1-0 win over Real Betis.

Impact Braithwaite found the back of the net in the 43rd minute scoring the lone goal of the match. The goal was the fourth in 13 appearances for the forward, the second most on the team.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Darder - Whips in nine crosses Darder crossed nine times (two accurate) and created two chances during Saturday's 1-0 win over Real Betis.

Impact Darder was held off the scoresheet despite being the main creator for Espanyol on Saturday. The midfielder has just three goal involvements in 18 appearances, but his role on set pieces has helped lead to a team-high 101 crosses and 37 chances created.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Álvaro Fernández - Three saves in clean sheet Fernandez kept a clean sheet while making three saves during Saturday's 1-0 win over Real Betis.

Impact Fernandez helped Espanyol claim all three points by shutting out Betis on Saturday. The clean sheet was the second in eight league starts for the keeper while his three saves upped his season total to 26.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mato Joselu - Kept from scoring against Betis Joselu took an off target shot, crossed twice (one accurate) and created a chance during Saturday's 1-0 win over Real Betis.

Impact Joselu was held off the scoresheet as Betis needed just one goal to win on Saturday. The forward has been excellent on the season, leading the team with 10 goals and 48 shots in his 18 appearances as a locked in starter.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brian Olivan - Whips in four crosses Olivan took an off target shot, crossed four times inaccurately and created two chances during Saturday's 1-0 win over Real Betis.

Impact Olivan was a part of the Espanyol back line that kept a clean sheet on Saturday. It was the third clean sheet in 17 appearances for the fullback as he's second on the club in crosses and chances created while leading Espanyol with five assists.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ronael Pierre-Gabriel - Loaned to Espanyol Pierre-Gabriel has joined Espanyol on a six-month loan from FSV Mainz, the club announced Wednesday.

Impact Pierre-Gabriel recorded an assist across 14 Ligue 1 appearances (seven starts) while on-loan with Strasbourg during the first half of the season, and the 24-year-old is now moving to La Liga with Espanyol for the remainder of the campaign. He can play all across the back line and should be a solid, versatile backup option for his new club.

JANUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brian Olivan - Available against Betis Olivan served a one-match ban for yellow card accumulation and is now eligible for selection once more

Impact Olivan has been a nailed-on starter but picked up a yellow card accumulation suspension. The defender should return straight to the starting XI in what is expected to be a tough clash with Betis. Olivan has four assists in 16 league starts, crossing 76 times in the span.

JANUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Barcelona wins Super Cup for 1st trophy with Xavi, no Messi

Barcelona’s title drought with coach Xavi and without Lionel Messi is finally over

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cesar Montes - Upstanding in first start Cesar Montes had 14 clearances and two interceptions in Sunday's 2-1 win against Getafe. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 51st minute.

Impact In Montes' first start for the team since joining from Monterrey in December, he had a brilliant performance with a season high of clearances. The 25-year-old will be an excellent addition to Espanyol's back line as he is expected to be their starting center defender moving forward, With Monterrey, he totaled 47 clearances in 16 appearances dating back to July.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Javi Puado - Scores game-winner Javi Puado scored one goal to go with three shots (one on target) and three crosses (zero accurate) in Sunday's 2-1 win over Getafe.

Impact After scoring last match and with Nico Melamed out with an illness, Puado got the start and scored the game-winner to deliver the win for Espanyol on Sunday. He has now scored two in the last two games and three in the last seven. The Spaniard will continue to fight for more playing time and chances are he will see more time on the field with his current form of late.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mato Joselu - Third straight goal Joselu scored one goal and assisted once from three shots and two chances created in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Getafe.

Impact Joselu is on a scoring rampage with a goal in his third straight match, along with an assist for his second on the year. He is now second in the league in goals scored, just three behind Robert Lewandowski for the lead. The Spaniard is having one of the best seasons of his career thus far, surpassing his goal tally from this time last season, where he had a career high 14 goals. With an average of 2.7 shots (1.4 on target) per game, the 32-year-old has the chance to extend his goal-scoring streak with a visit from Real Betis on Saturday, who have conceded eight goals in the last seven contests.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Álvaro Fernández - One save in win Alvaro Fernandez registered one save and allowed one goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over Getafe.

Impact Fernandez was not called upon much in the match, however he did concede an early goal to ruin his clean sheet on Sunday. He has allowed four goals on nine saves in the last three matches. The Spaniard has temporary taken over the goalkeeper role with Benjamin Lecomte requesting a release from the team. He has allowed 11 goals and recorded one clean sheet in seven appearances thus far.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leandro Cabrera - Three clearances on day Cabrera had three clearances and three interceptions in Sunday's 2-1 win over Getafe. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 33rd minute.

Impact Cabrera was able to recover from the flu in time to start the match on Sunday. He did not look his greatest, only tallying three clearances. The 31-year-old usually averages four a game with 17 in the last five contests. However, he is way off his clearances total from last season despite starting in all 16 matches he has featured in.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Melamed Ribaudo - Out against Getafe Melamed is not in the match day squad to face Getafe on Sunday.

Impact Melamed misses out on Sunday's match after coming down with an illness in the buildup. The midfielder has played just 290 minutes in 11 appearances primarily as a substitute.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leandro Cabrera - Recovers for Getafe clash Cabrera is fit and in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Getafe.

Impact Cabrera is good to go after dealing with the flu in the buildup to the match. The defender takes up a role in the Espanyol back line as he's helped his side keep two clean sheets in 16 appearances.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Melamed Ribaudo - Misses training through illness Melamed (illness) missed training Friday, according to manager Diego Martinez. "Well, one has had tenths of fever tonight and the other also with a stomach issue, with vomiting, di...

Impact Melamed missed training Friday due to an illness and is a doubt for Sunday's match. The midfielder has started two matches in a row on the right wing so any sort of illness is a disappointing turn as he looks to hold onto a starting role. Melamed has made just five starts in all competitions, and has yet to go the full 90 in a match.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE