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| Barcelona 0-1 Espanyol: Catalan Super Cup | Image: FCB |
FC Barcelona failed to win their ninth Catalan Super Cup as they lost 1-0 to neighbours Espanyol in their encounter at the Nou Estadi de Terragona after an early striker from Felipe Caicedo broke their hearts.
Luis Enrique gave the game minimal importance and called up only six first team players, all six made the starting lineup for the game with Masip starting in goal while Jérémy Mathieu partnered Marlon in central defence. Arda Turan, André Gomes and Denis Suárez all started and Paco Alcácer as well while Aleña, Carbonell, Moisés and Nili completed the lineup.
Barça dominated proceedings from the first minute but found themselves behind after just 9 minutes. Caicedo received a pass from Reyes before rounding Masip to give Espanyol the lead.
Barça continued with their dominance but just couldn’t get it right in the final third. Their first real chance came after 33 minutes when Denis Suarez forced Espanyol goalkeeper Roberto into a save. It ended 1-0 after the first half and Barça replaced Mathieu with Martínez early in the second. Minutes later, Paco Alcácer had the chance to get the equaliser but failed to get in the end of a cross.
Nili also came close late on but saw his shot fly well over the bar. Barça made a couple of changes but couldn’t get the equaliser and Espanyol ended up winning the Catalan Super Cup.