On March 11, 2012, Espanyol hosted Rayo Vallecano at the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat in a La Liga fixture. Espanyol delivered a strong performance, winning 5-1 in a one-sided contest that saw the home side dominate throughout.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Espanyol: 5 (Philippe Coutinho 9′, 23′, Kalu Uche 26′, Álvaro Vázquez 47′, Didac Vila 80′)
- Rayo Vallecano: 1 (Raúl Tamudo 72′ (pen.))
- Possession:
- Espanyol had 52% possession, while Rayo Vallecano had 48%. Espanyol managed to make the most of their possession, using it effectively to break through Rayo’s defense, especially in the first half.
- Shots:
- Espanyol registered 16 shots, with 9 on target, showing their efficiency in the attacking third. Rayo Vallecano managed 7 shots, with 4 on target, but they struggled to convert their chances and break down Espanyol’s defense.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Espanyol had a passing accuracy of 81%, completing 398 passes out of 491 attempts. Rayo Vallecano had a passing accuracy of 78%, completing 370 passes out of 474 attempts. Espanyol’s midfield control allowed them to create more scoring opportunities and transition quickly in attack.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Espanyol made 13 tackles compared to Rayo Vallecano’s 17, reflecting Rayo’s attempts to regain possession and disrupt Espanyol’s attacking flow. Espanyol’s defense, led by Héctor Moreno and Raúl Rodríguez, was solid throughout the match.
- Set Pieces:
- Espanyol’s first goal came early in the 9th minute through Philippe Coutinho, who found the back of the net with a curling shot after a quick attacking move. Coutinho doubled Espanyol’s lead in the 23rd minute with a well-timed strike following a defensive lapse by Rayo Vallecano. Kalu Uche added a third goal just three minutes later, converting a low cross into the box. Álvaro Vázquez scored Espanyol’s fourth goal in the 47th minute, just after halftime, and Didac Vila finished the scoring for Espanyol in the 80th minute with a long-range strike. Rayo Vallecano’s only goal came from a penalty converted by Raúl Tamudo in the 72nd minute after a handball in the box.
- Individual Performances:
- Philippe Coutinho was the standout performer for Espanyol, scoring twice in the first half and showing his technical quality and creativity. Kalu Uche and Álvaro Vázquez also contributed with goals and were key figures in Espanyol’s fluid attacking play. For Rayo Vallecano, Raúl Tamudo, a former Espanyol legend, scored their only goal but struggled to create further chances.
- Tactical Overview:
- Espanyol, under Mauricio Pochettino, deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on controlling the midfield and using Coutinho’s creativity to break down Rayo’s defense. Rayo Vallecano, managed by José Ramón Sandoval, used a 4-4-2 formation but found it difficult to cope with Espanyol’s attacking transitions and pressing.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw three yellow cards, two for Rayo Vallecano (Movilla 15′, Piti 44′) and one for Espanyol (Raúl Baena 30′). The fouls were mainly tactical, aimed at breaking up the opposition’s play.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Espanyol won 7 corners compared to Rayo Vallecano’s 4, reflecting their consistent pressure in the final third. Both teams were caught offside twice as they attempted to create chances and stretch the opposition’s defense.
Summary
Espanyol’s 5-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano was a comprehensive performance that highlighted their attacking fluidity and clinical finishing. Philippe Coutinho was instrumental in Espanyol’s success, scoring twice and creating several chances for his teammates. Kalu Uche and Álvaro Vázquez added to the scoreline, while Didac Vila’s late goal sealed the dominant performance.
Rayo Vallecano, despite some possession and Raúl Tamudo’s penalty, struggled to cope with Espanyol’s intensity and quick transitions. Their defensive lapses allowed Espanyol to capitalize on chances early in the game, and they were unable to recover.
This win boosted Espanyol’s hopes of finishing in the European qualification spots, while Rayo Vallecano remained mid-table, needing to regroup after this heavy defeat. The match was a memorable one for Coutinho, who demonstrated his potential with a standout performance.
