Espanyol cruise past Olot in comfortable pre-season victory

UE Olot played host to Espanyol on a warm July afternoon in what promised to be a useful pre-season workout for both sides. The Catalan club's supporters turned out in decent numbers, but they would have little to cheer about as their team struggled to impose themselves on the visitors from the outset. Espanyol arrived with clear intent and quickly settled into their rhythm, moving the ball with purpose and looking dangerous in attack from the opening exchanges.

Espanyol broke the deadlock on 28 minutes when R. Bauza finished clinically to put the visitors ahead. The goal seemed to deflate any resistance Olot had built up to that point, and Espanyol sensed blood in the water. The home side tried to respond but found themselves constantly pressed back by a Espanyol outfit that controlled possession and the tempo with ease. There was a gulf in class between the two teams, and it showed in how easily the visitors moved through Olot's midfield.

As the second half wore on, Espanyol added two further goals to seal a comprehensive victory. The scoreline of 0-3 flattered Olot if anything, as Espanyol could have stretched their lead further had they been more clinical in the final third. The home team's defenders looked stretched and uncomfortable throughout, and their goalkeeper had little chance with any of the three strikes that beat him. Espanyol's attacking play grew more fluent as the match progressed, with the midfield controlling proceedings and the forward line operating with sharp understanding.

This friendly served its purpose for Espanyol, who will head into their competitive campaign with confidence on the back of a convincing display. For Olot, the experience offered some harsh lessons about the level required to compete at the higher echelons of Spanish football. Espanyol's performance suggested they have made good progress in their pre-season preparations, while Olot will need to regroup and reflect on a difficult afternoon.