Flick’s Inspired Subs Deliver Two Goals in Final 10 Minutes to Stun Local Rivals
Barcelona left it late but delivered a devastating finish on Saturday, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to defeat Espanyol 2-0 and extend their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points over rivals Real Madrid.
For 80 minutes, the match belonged to a vibrant Espanyol side. The hosts controlled the tempo and created the better chances, while a sluggish Barcelona failed to register a single shot on target until first-half stoppage time.
The game turned on the intervention of manager Hansi Flick, whose second-half substitutions changed the contest. Introduced with 25 minutes to play, substitutes Dani Olmo and Fermín López combined to break the deadlock in the 83rd minute. López laid the ball off to Olmo on the edge of the box, who unleashed a stunning curling shot into the top corner.
The knockout blow came just four minutes later. López was again the provider, setting up fellow substitute Robert Lewandowski for a close-range finish—the Polish striker’s 101st goal for the club—to seal a dramatic and vital three points.
“The players who came on made the difference,” Flick acknowledged after the match. “We knew it would be a physical derby, and we needed freshness and quality at the end. The mentality to keep pushing was excellent.”
For Espanyol, the result was a cruel blow after a performance full of energy and promise. “We played very well for most of the game,” said Espanyol coach Luis García. “But against a team of this quality, you must be perfect for 90 minutes.”
The victory piles immediate pressure on second-place Real Madrid, who face Real Betis on Sunday knowing anything less than a win will see Barcelona’s commanding lead grow even further.
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