C.D. Leganés earned one more point after drawing at Butarque against R.C.D. Espanyol (0-0), in a match corresponding to the thirty-fifth round of LALIGA HYPERMOTION. Diego García had the clearest chance in a match that was evenly matched, with a shot against the crossbar on the stroke of halftime.
Leganés came out with a lineup that presented two changes compared to the previous matchday's eleven in Huesca: Nyom and Franquesa returned to the team after serving suspension in place of Cissé and Chicco, who started the match on the bench. Raba and Nyom had the first approaches for Leganés as early as 5', with the team spurred on by the atmosphere of a packed Butarque, with 11,573 spectators in the best entry in the history of the stadium in the Second Division, and fourth in its entire history. Espanyol responded through Braithwaite in minute 7 with a cross shot that went wide.
Diego García, with a header against the crossbar, had Lega's clearest chance in the first half.
In minute 23, the fans claimed a possible penalty for a grab on Diego García when the forward was about to head in, but Trujillo Suárez did not consider it enough to signal a penalty. In the next action, it was Neyou who tried from distance without finding the goal. In minute 27, the referee did signal a penalty by Diego Conde on Nico Melamed, but the VAR rectified the decision and the penalty was annulled.
The match was evenly matched in a first half with a lot of control, alternating possession and few arrivals to the rival areas. Franquesa's arrivals on the left flank were the most dangerous for a well-positioned Lega who waited for their chance to strike. In stoppage time, Leganés almost took the lead from a corner kick by Portillo that Diego García headed against the crossbar of Joan García's goal. With the 'uy' in the stands, it was time for the break after an intense first half.
Portillo and Diego tried their best in an even and intense second half.
The second half started without changes, with a first attempt from an active Braithwaite for Espanyol in 47'. Leganés responded in minute 52 with a finish by Cruz, finished off by Franquesa, but Joan García made the catch. In minute 56, Raba had a chance, but started in an advanced position before shooting wide after getting away from the goalkeeper. Portillo had a chance in minute 62, but he couldn't direct his shot from Nyom's cross, which went to the left of the goal.
Diego had another chance in 65', assisted by Raba, but Joan García deflected with difficulty his dry whip. Jofre returned the next dangerous action for Espanyol in minute 69 with a cross shot that went wide. In minute 71, Borja Jiménez made his first change, introducing Chicco for Undabarrena in midfield shortly after a good option for Nico Melamed. Miguel de la Fuente substituted Raba in minute 73, looking to freshen up the Blue and Whites' attack, and in minute 84, Cissé and Brasanac came on for Juan Cruz and Diego García, who received a standing ovation.
There were no further approaches in a final stretch in which both teams held off rival attempts to earn another point that puts Leganés on 62 points, continuing one more day at the top of the table. The next match for the Blue and Whites will take place next Friday (20:30) at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López against C.D. Tenerife.
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