Espanyol gain narrow advantage
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Article summary
AS Livorno Calcio 1-2 RCD Espanyol Espanyol took a crucial one-goal advantage back to Barcelona after an impressive win against Serie A opponents.
Article body
Closed doors
Livorno seemed to suffer in the early stages as they adapted to playing without the support of their home crowd following the Italian authorities' decision to play the game behind closed doors. Mohamed El Yaagoubi volleyed wide after two minutes and Eduardo Costa fired just over five minutes later as the visitors probed. But Espanyol finally made breakthrough in the 28th minute.
Pandiani record
Referee Stéphane Lannoy awarded a penalty to the Barcelona club when Jesús María Lacruz was bundled over by Cristiano Lucarelli following a corner. Walter Pandiani scored from the spot to notch his eighth goal in the UEFA Cup this season, thereby becoming Espanyol's all-time record marksman in Europe. Lucarelli nearly responded but his header flashed wide, and chances for the Serie A side were sporadic.
Livorno hope
Ernesto Valverde's team nearly doubled their lead on 54 minutes when Daniel Jarque nodded against a post, yet Livorno's respite was short-lived. Five minutes later, Jarque's long pass released El Yaagoubi and the midfielder coolly beat Marco Amelia. Daniele Arrigoni's men appeared down and out but Fabio Galante headed home with nine minutes left to give the hosts a glimmer of hope ahead of the second leg in Catalonia next week.
