Espanyol vs Olot: Espanyol open pre-season with 3-0 win as Bauza, Marcos and Roberto find the net
Espanyol beat Olot 3-0 in a pre-season friendly at Olot. Bauza, Marcos Fernández and Roberto Fernández scored as Manolo González used extensive rotation.
Espanyol open pre-season with a 3-0 victory at Municipal de Olot
Espanyol began their summer campaign with a 3-0 win over Olot in the traditional preseason fixture at the Municipal de Olot. The match served as the first competitive outing for Manolo González’s new-look squad and provided an early chance to assess fitness, tactics and recent signings. Rafa Bauza opened the scoring in the first half before Marcos Fernández and Roberto Fernández sealed the victory with late goals. The Espanyol vs Olot friendly allowed starters and newcomers to share the pitch in match conditions.
First half: control, chances and Bauza’s opener
Espanyol took the initiative from the first whistle and pushed to impose a higher tempo against the lower-league hosts. The Catalan side created the opening opportunities early, with Calatrava and Kike García combining inside the box and Jofre Carreras supplying dangerous deliveries. Kike García struck the post and then saw a close-range header saved by Ballesté, but Espanyol continued to probe patiently until the breakthrough. In the 27th minute Rafa Bauza pounced on a loose ball in the six-yard area and finished clinically with his right foot to give Espanyol a deserved lead going into half-time.
Second half: wholesale changes and probing attacks
Manolo González made extensive changes after the interval, bringing a fresh eleven onto the pitch to continue the evaluation process. The rotated side maintained attacking intent, with Javi Hernández and Roberto Fernández testing Olot’s goalkeeper on several occasions. Set-pieces produced the better openings early in the second half, including a headed effort from Riedel that went narrowly wide and another headed chance from Roberto that was held by Ballesté. Despite sustained pressure, Espanyol lacked cutting final passes for long periods before late quality finishes restored finishing margins.
Late goals provide scoreboard comfort and confidence
As the match approached its final stages Espanyol increased their tempo and accuracy in the final third, turning control into goals. In the 88th minute Marcos Fernández connected with a volley from a Javi Hernández cross to double the advantage and break Olot’s resistance. Deep into stoppage time Roberto Fernández completed the scoring by finishing a one-on-one chance, demonstrating composure to round off a 3-0 victory. The late strikes offered a helpful momentum swing for Espanyol, giving minutes and confidence to players likely to figure in the early weeks of preparation.
Debuts and squad assessment: new signings and returning loanees
The friendly provided the management team a first look at summer additions Calatrava, Hartman and Moscardó in match action for Espanyol. Calatrava featured in the starting lineup and showed combinations on the right flank, while Hartman and Moscardó logged minutes after entering from the bench. Several players who returned from loan spells also appeared, helping to expand selection options and allow the coaching staff to evaluate depth across positions. Overall, the test against Olot offered a clearer picture of fitness levels and how new arrivals might fit into González’s plans.
Tactical observations and what the result suggests
Espanyol’s approach combined territorial control with an emphasis on crossing and late runs into the box, a pattern visible in both halves of the match. The team used wide players to deliver from deep and relied on aerial presence inside the area, as evidenced by multiple headed attempts. Resistance from Olot, a 2RFEF side, required Espanyol to be patient and selective in their final third sequences; the squad did not always convert dominance into goals until late. The rotation policy gave González an opportunity to test both pressing triggers and transitional patterns, pointing to flexibility ahead of higher-profile preseason fixtures.
Match details: lineups, substitutions and officials
Espanyol started with Dmitrovic in goal behind a back line of Rubén Sánchez, Urko, Cabrera and Hinojo. The midfield featured Bauza, Edu Expósito and Jofre Carreras with Pere Milla, Calatrava and Kike García in advanced roles. Substitutes introduced during the second half included Serred, Fortuño, Omar, Hartman, Riedel, Timera, Pol Lozano, Moscardó, Javi Hernández, Dolan, Marcos Fernández and Roberto Fernández. Olot lined up with Ballesté in goal and a starting XI that included Ayala, Soler, Marc Mas, Walid and Escoda under coach Roger Vidal. Jordi Serra refereed the match while the official scoreline read 0-1 Bauza (27), 0-2 Marcos Fernández (88) and 0-3 Roberto Fernández (92).
Espanyol’s comfortable win at Olot offered a productive first workout for coach Manolo González and his staff, combining match minutes for key players with opportunities to observe newcomers in live situations. The friendly will be one of several steps as Espanyol build toward more demanding opponents and competitive fixtures ahead of the season. The squad now moves on with fitness targets and tactical refinements as they prepare for the next tests on their preseason schedule.
