Dani Olmo scored twice to help Barcelona secure a 3-1 victory over local rivals Espanyol on Sunday, extending their lead at the top of La Liga to nine points.
With second-place Real Madrid’s match against Valencia postponed due to devastating floods in the region, Hansi Flick’s side seized the opportunity to stretch their advantage over the champions. Raphinha added a goal between Olmo’s strikes as Barcelona built a three-goal lead by the 31st minute at the Olympic Stadium.
Espanyol’s Javi Puado pulled one back as the visitors fought hard to avoid a derby drubbing in the second half, scoring three disallowed goals in the process. Barcelona have started impressively under Flick, and after defeating Bayern Munich and Real Madrid last week, they earned their tenth win in 11 La Liga matches with a dominant first-half display.
“I feel good; I was really looking forward to returning and helping the team on the pitch,” Olmo told DAZN after his first start since mid-September. “I’m back, enjoying it, playing, winning, and I want more.” Summer signing Olmo had made substitute appearances in Barcelona’s last two games, but given the chance to start, he delivered an electric performance in the first half. “We knew Espanyol would give everything, but we got the three points, so it’s mission accomplished,” he added.
Former RB Leipzig playmaker Olmo headed over in the early stages and had a shot saved by Joan Garcia, who also denied teenage star Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old Spanish international crafted the first goal with a delightful pass using the outside of his boot, which Olmo dispatched with an explosive finish. Brazilian winger Raphinha lofted the second over Garcia after Marc Casado, who has established himself at the base of the midfield, produced a fine pass that split Espanyol’s defense wide open.
Jofre Carreras thought he had pulled one back for Espanyol, but it was disallowed for offside in the build-up, as Barcelona’s high defensive line continued to be effective. Olmo scored his second with a powerful low drive from the edge of the box after Alejandro Balde set him up. Robert Lewandowski, La Liga’s top scorer this season, couldn’t get on the scoresheet, with Garcia saving his curling effort. Barcelona were frustrated in attack in the second half as Espanyol, sitting 17th, battled well.
Alvaro Tejero had another goal disallowed for offside against Jofre, and Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena made a stunning save to deny Puado. Eventually, Puado found the net from Carlos Romero’s cross but had another goal ruled out as the ball had gone out of play before being crossed to him. Ansu Fati also scored for Barcelona in stoppage time, but it was disallowed for offside. “In the second half, we corrected mistakes, had chances, and had a couple of goals ruled out, but if you don’t play a perfect game, it’s very hard to win, and going 3-0 down makes it hard to come back,” said Puado.
