ESPANYOL NEWS

Diego Lopez - Concedes three in win Lopez made two saves and conceded three goals during Saturday's 4-3 win over Levante.

Impact Lopez wasn't helped for his defensive line here as all three goals scored by the opposition came off unmarked, close-range strikes. The goalkeeper had three goals allowed for the first time this season and he'll try to bounce back during Friday's visit to Celta Vigo.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Gomez - Provides assist in win Gomez provided an assist and made one tackle (won), four clearances and two block during Saturday's 4-3 win over Levante.

Impact Gomez was part of a defensive line that allowed three goals, but made up for that with a huge contribution on the attacking end, deflecting a corner kick before Javi Puado sent the ball home to draw things level at 3-3 in the 60th minute. This was the first assist of the season for the centre back, who racked up at least four clearances in 12 of his 16 La Liga starts. Up next for him is Friday's visit to Celta Vigo.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Javi Puado - Nets brace in win Puado scored two goals off four shots (two on target), created one chance and made two tackles (both won) and two interceptions during Saturday's 4-3 win over Levante.

Impact Puado wasn't very productive during the first half, but things changed for him after halftime. With his side down by one goal, the striker found the back of the net twice in 15 minutes to give Espanyol a 4-3 lead that wouldn't be relinquished. There wasn't a better moment for Puado to score his first two goals of the season and he'll try to keep adding to his account during Friday's visit to Celta Vigo.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Yangel Herrera - Provides assist in win Herrera provided an assist, had two off-target shots, made two tackles (both won), drew two fouls and was shown a yellow card during Saturday's 4-3 win over Levante.

Impact Herrera had his second appearance on the scoresheet over his last three starts, this time assisting Raul De Tomas for his side's second goal in the 49th minute. The midfielder looks consolidated in the starting lineup after fully recovering from the injury that made him miss the start of the season. Up next for Herrera is Friday's visit to Celta Vigo.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Raul De Tomas - Scores in win De Tomas scored a goal off four shots (two on target), created two chances and drew two fouls during Saturday's 4-3 win over Levante.

Impact De Tomas put to an end his three-game scoring drought in the 49th minute, drawing things level at 2-2 with a one-timed shot after a cross from the right. The forward is enjoying a spectacular season so far with eight goals and two assists over 16 starts and will try to keep adding to his tally during Friday's visit to Celta Vigo.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Darder - Scores opener in win Darder scored a goal off three shots (two on target) during Saturday's 4-3 win over Levante.

Impact Darder scored the opening goal of the match in the 6th minute with a powerful one-timed shot after a partial clearance from the opposing defense. This was the first goal of the season for the midfielder and he'll try to keep it up during Friday's visit to Celta Vigo.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sevilla wins at Bilbao 1-0 to pressure Madrid before derby

Sevilla has won at Athletic Bilbao 1-0 to trim Real Madrid's lead of the Spanish league to five points

DECEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

No place like home as Rayo tops Espanyol in Spanish league

Rayo Vallecano’s impressive run at home in the Spanish league has continued with a 1-0 win over Espanyol

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Raul De Tomas - Takes two shots in loss De Tomas had two shots (one on target), created one chance, made two tackles (both won) and drew two fouls during Sunday's 1-0 loss against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact De Tomas almost opened the scoring for Espanyol with a header that was amazingly saved by the opposing goalkeeper in the 24th minute, but couldn't produce anything noteworthy during the rest of the match. This was the third consecutive match without a goal for RDT, who had scored seven goals over the nine games prior to the current drought. The forward will try to bounce back during Saturday's home clash against Levante.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fran Merida - Gets sent off without playing Merida was shown a red card during Sunday's 1-0 loss against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Merida was an unused substitute for the sixth consecutive match, but was shown a red card for being involved in an altercation after a teammate suffered a hard foul during second half's stoppage time. With only four appearances this season, the midfielder will be suspended for Saturday's home match against Levante.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Leandro Cabrera - Scores own goal in loss Cabrera made two tackles (both won), eight clearances and two interceptions, but scored an own goal and was shown a yellow card during Sunday's 1-0 loss against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Cabrera was having a solid performance at the heart of the defense, but in the 54th minute he was the villain for Espanyol as he sent the ball into his own net when trying to cut a pass from the left flank for what was the game-winning goal for the opposition. The defender will try to bounce back during Saturday's home match against Levante.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Diego Lopez - Concedes one in loss Lopez made zero saves and conceded one goal during Sunday's 1-0 loss against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Lopez was looking for his third clean sheet in four matches and didn't have much work coming his way during the first half. But the goalkeeper couldn't do much when Leandro Cabrera sent the ball into his own net when try to cut a pass from the left flank. To make things worse, Lopez didn't make a single save after racking up five in each of his previous six starts. Up next for him is Saturday's home match against Levante.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

MATCHDAY: Rangnick makes Man U debut; Hertha's new coach too

Ralf Rangnick takes charge of Manchester United for the first time in a home game against Crystal Palace hoping to build on the team’s recent momentum

DECEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

David Lopez - Undergoes minor surgery Lopez (undisclosed) underwent minor surgery and is now starting his recovery, the player announced Wednesday.

Impact Lopez will look to begin his return from a "small" surgery. There's no exact timeline, but keeping an eye on his return to team training should give a rough estimate of when he will return.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Diego Lopez - Keeps clean sheet in win Lopez kept a clean sheet with five saves made during Sunday's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Lopez only had three matches to play in November but finishes out an exceptional month with two clean sheets and one goal conceded in three matches. This good form will be put to the test against Rayo Vallecano, which are tied for the fifth-most goals scored in La Liga.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Yangel Herrera - Scores in win Herrera scored one goal on his only shot and won three-of-four tackles during Sunday's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Herrera toppled the league leaders with his first goal of the season in just his third start. A player often known for his tackling abilities and tendency to commit fouls, he's also capable of the occasional key moment in the attack as he helped his side to a second win in three matches. Up next on the schedule is a trip to Rayo Vallecano, which have conceded the second-most tackles to midfielders in La Liga.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Javi Puado - Takes two shots in win Puado took two shots (one on goal) and created two chances in 78 minutes of Sunday's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Puado is starting to find a place in the lineup again after missing the middle weeks of the season and Sunday represented another step in the right direction. It could be worth tracking his progression over the next few games, as he'll first face a tougher matchup at Rayo Vallecano before meeting Levante and Celta Vigo.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Adri Embarba - Logs three crosses in win Embarba provided three crosses (one accurate) and put one shot off target in 58 minutes of Sunday's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Embarba had one of his most disappointing performances of the season and it probably explains why he was pulled well before the end of the contest. He remains well ahead as the league leader in crosses provided, but his high volume hasn't yielded as many chances as others in the competition. Up next is a trip to Rayo Vallecano, which have conceded just 16 goals in 15 matches this season.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Raul De Tomas - Takes two shots in win De Tomas took two shots (zero on goal) during Sunday's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact De Tomas has taken seven shots over his last two matches but failed to put a single of those chances on target. Seeing as he's still kept himself active, it shouldn't indicate trouble for de Tomas just yet. Up next is a trip to Rayo Vallecano, which are tied for the third-fewest goals conceded to forwards in La Liga.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Late Vinícius Júnior goal gives Madrid 2-1 win over Sevilla

Vinícius Júnior scored another decisive goal for Real Madrid with a beautiful late strike that sealed a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Sevilla in a match between two of the best tea...

NOVEMBER 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Unfazed by guilty verdict, Real Madrid relying on Benzema

Karim Benzema and the teams that employ him appear unfazed by his guilty verdict for having played a part in the sex tape blackmail plot against a former France teammate

NOVEMBER 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Xavi not ruling out Dembélé for match against Benfica

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández says some important players may be back from injury for the team's decisive Champions League game against Benfica on Tuesday

NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Diego Lopez - Excellent in defeat Lopez made five saves during Saturday's 1-0 loss to Barcelona.

Impact Lopez made five saves in what was an excellent showing, though his team struggled in front of him. It's bad-to-worse for the keeper as he now heads towards a clash Sunday, with an in-form Sociedad side.

NOVEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Adri Embarba - Busy despite defeat Embarba shot three times (twice on goal), and made two tackles during Saturday's 1-0 loss to Barcelona.

Impact Embarba is a solid fantasy option in most formats with his duty on set-pieces, and all-around attacking acumen. The forward hasn't really gotten on the scoresheet much, with only two assists in 14 starts, but his volume tends to make up for it. He faces a tough Sunday task against Sociedad, who have proven very hard to beat.

NOVEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Raul De Tomas - Five shots in loss De Tomas shot five times off goal during Saturday's 1-0 loss to Barcelona.

Impact De Tomas seemed to want to be certain that no one could question his lack of effort towards goal. That said none of his shots were particularly threatening for Marc-Andre ter Stegen. De Tomas was on a five game goal streak before this and is likely to return to his unstoppable scoring moving forward. Next up is a Sunday clash with table-toppers Sociedad.

NOVEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE