Espanyol vs FC Barcelona timeline took another twist post-match as Espanyol manager Manolo González directed criticism at teenage star Lamine Yamal following Barcelona’s 2-0 win at the RCDE Stadium.

Post-Match Frustration

Espanyol manager Manolo González didn’t hold back in his post-match comments after witnessing his team fall to a bitter defeat at the hands of their city rivals. While acknowledging the quality of Lamine Yamal’s goal, he was particularly upset with the incident that led to defender Leandro Cabrera being sent off.

“We’re ruining football,” González said. “Cabrera’s move isn’t strong enough to cause injury or damage. It wasn’t an assault, a blow to the face, or a hard tackle.”

He went on to accuse Yamal of simulation, adding, “I told Lamine to stop diving. It wasn’t necessary to dive in that action.”

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Red Card Controversy

The turning point came late in the match when Cabrera was shown a straight red card for appearing to strike Yamal off the ball. After a VAR review, the decision stood, reducing Espanyol to 10 men and giving Barça a greater advantage in the final minutes.

This incident played a key role in the Espanyol vs FC Barcelona timeline, as Barça took full control and sealed the match with a second goal from Fermín López in stoppage time.

“The Result Wasn’t Fair”

González also criticized the final outcome, insisting Espanyol deserved more from the game. “The result wasn’t fair. We knew what kind of match we were going to face. We had very, very clear chances to score,” he said.

“It’s a shame because it’s a match where at least a draw was expected. If we had taken the lead in the first half, it could have been a different story.”

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Relegation Battle Heats Up

The defeat leaves Espanyol just five points above the final relegation spot with two crucial games remaining in the season. As Barcelona celebrates a league title, Espanyol is left to regroup and fight for survival in the coming fixtures.