Barcelona (dpa) – Luuk de Jong saved FC Barcelona at least one point in the last minute in the explosive city derby.
A week after the 4-2 win in the top game against Atlético Madrid, the traditional Spanish football club had to settle for a 2-2 (1-1) win at newly promoted Espanyol Barcelona on Sunday evening, but was fourth in the table with 39 points assert.
Coach Xavi’s team took the lead after just 79 seconds thanks to Pedri’s first goal of the season; Sergi Drader was able to equalize before the break (40′), Raul de Tomas then surprisingly gave the hosts the lead (64′) – de Jong then scored the draw in the sixth minute of added time. A Barca goal by Gavi (56th) was disallowed for offside after a video decision. In stoppage time, Gerard Piquet (Barca) and Nicolas Melamed (Espanyol) both saw yellow-red.
La Liga leaders remain Real Madrid with 54 points ahead of Sevilla FC (50), Sevilla Betis (43), FC Barcelona and defending champions Atletico Madrid (both 39th).