Espanyol vs Sabadell ends 1-1 as Kike García rescues preseason draw at Dani Jarque
Espanyol vs Sabadell ended 1-1 after Kike García scored a late equaliser at Dani Jarque, saving the hosts from defeat in a preseason friendly ahead of the trip to Burnley.
Late Kike García strike rescues Espanyol
Espanyol needed a late intervention to avoid a surprise defeat against newly promoted Sabadell in a preseason friendly played at the Dani Jarque training ground. The match, which was moved from an afternoon slot to the morning, ended 1-1 after Kike García finished a one on one to level the contest on 76. The equaliser served as a reminder that Espanyol remain vulnerable defensively despite earlier preseason wins.
The leveller came after a frustrating display for the home side that offered few clear opportunities for most of the 90 minutes. Roger Hinojo supplied the pass that released García into space and the veteran striker’s composed finish with his left foot brought relief for Manolo González’s team. The goal preserved Espanyol’s unbeaten run in preseason but did not erase the broader concerns raised by their performance.
Stiff test against a promoted Sabadell
Sabadell, freshly promoted to the Liga Hypermotion, offered a more resilient and organized performance than many expected from a friendly. The visitors pressed effectively and capitalized on a moment of misfortune to take the lead in the 72nd minute with an own goal credited to Rubén Sánchez. That initiative forced Espanyol to chase the game in the final quarter and exposed problems in build up play.
Manolo González warned ahead of the encounter that the match would test the squad’s readiness and the team responded in fits and starts while repeatedly failing to craft sustained attacking sequences. Sabadell’s structure and discipline made the home side work, and the early timetable change did not appear to disrupt the visitors in the way it affected Espanyol’s rhythm.
Underwhelming opening and sparse chances
Espanyol fielded a starting eleven featuring Dmitrovic in goal, a back line of Cabrera, Urko and veteran presences, and a midfield anchored by Edu Expósito and Moscardó. Manolo González’s selection also included Hartman, Omar, Cala, Dolan, Marcos Fernández and Roberto Fernández as the wide and supporting options. Despite a blend of experience and youth, the first half produced very little in the way of meaningful chances.
For long stretches the ball moved side to side without a clear plan to penetrate Sabadell’s defensive block, and the hosts lacked the intensity and precision seen in their earlier preseason victories. Players were often imprecise in the final third and combinations broke down before any serious threat materialized. The opening 45 minutes therefore set the tone for a second half in which Espanyol had to find answers.
Own goal gives Sabadell a temporary lead
The match broke open in the 72nd minute when pressure from the visitors led to a defensive mishap at the Dani Jarque. Rubén Sánchez inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net to hand Sabadell a 1-0 advantage. It was a moment that reflected Espanyol’s struggles to control the tempo and highlighted moments of uncertainty at the back.
Sabadell celebrated the unexpected lead but then shifted to a more cautious posture aimed at protecting the advantage rather than extending it. That approach invited Espanyol forward and forced the home team to move aggressively in search of an equaliser. The own goal underscored the fine margins of preseason matches where cohesion and concentration are still being built.
Late pressure and near misses in added time
After Kike García levelled the score, Espanyol continued to press in search of a winner and came within inches of converting their late momentum into three points. Jofre bent a curling effort that narrowly missed doubling the lead and forced Sabadell to defend desperately. In stoppage time Pere Milla rose to meet another cross from Roger Hinojo but his header struck the crossbar, keeping the scoreline level.
Those late actions illustrated a team capable of producing decisive moments under pressure but unable to maintain control long enough to dominate throughout a full match. The two near goals served as a reminder that finishing and timing remain areas for improvement as the squad continues to develop before the season starts. They also showed that the bench provided life and attacking options when the game demanded something different.
Rotation, substitutions and squad assessment
Manolo González made a number of changes during the second half as he monitored fitness levels and tried combinations ahead of the club’s next tests. Players introduced from the bench included Fortuño, Pol Lozano, Pere Milla, Kike García, Jofre, Javi Hernández and Hinojo among others. The depth of the roster was evident but the integration of newcomers and returning players still requires time.
The coaching staff will take several data points from the match, including player minutes, reaction to in game adversity and how quickly a new shape can be implemented. Those variables are central to trimming the group and finalizing tactical ideas. The friendly structure allowed minutes for fringe players while confirming that leaders must step up when matches become tense.
Preseason concerns as Espanyol head to Burnley
Espanyol now turn their focus to a high profile preseason fixture in England against Burnley, providing a sterner examination of the team’s tactical cohesion and physical readiness. The trip offers a fresh opportunity to correct issues identified at the Dani Jarque and to test the squad against a team known for intensity and direct play. The coaching staff will likely refine defensive responsibilities and attacking patterns in training ahead of that encounter.
The Burnley match will also help clarify selection questions and may influence off season decisions if particular players fail to make the desired impression. For supporters, the looming trip is a chance to see how quickly the collective can move from isolated flashes of quality toward consistent performances.
Espanyol will review video and performance metrics to prioritise areas for improvement, especially in possession transitions and chance creation. Conditioning work will be balanced with tactical sessions to ensure the team can maintain concentration and control across a high tempo 90 minutes. The club’s preparation choices over the coming days will determine whether the late equaliser becomes a turning point or a short term escape from potential problems.
The friendly against Sabadell concluded with a 1-1 scoreline, an own goal for the visitors at 72 minutes and Kike García’s equaliser at 76. Manolo González and his coaching staff leave with mixed signals, a need for sharper attacking play and renewed focus before the next match in England.
