Leganés – Espanyol: Hosts’ high press and central overloads overwhelm visitors (3–2)

Leganés secured a valuable victory over Espanyol in LaLiga. The Madrid side’s high press and overloads in central attacking and defensive areas were too much for the visitors. Espanyol regrouped after a poor first half and responded through set-pieces, but their late comeback fell short.

Tactical analysis and match report by David Pugh.

Leganés entered this crunch match four points adrift of safety, knowing that anything less than a win could all but seal relegation. Espanyol, seven points clear of the drop zone, were looking to mathematically confirm their top-flight status.

Leganés boss Borja Jiménez was without suspended left-back Javi Hernández but welcomed back Seydouba Cisse and Adrià Altimira from suspension. Jiménez set up in a 3-4-3 with Marko Dmitrovic in goal, a back three of Jorge Sáenz, Renato Tapia, and Valentin Rosier, and wing-backs Yan Diomande and Altimira. Cisse and Yvan Latour Neyou formed the central midfield pairing behind a front three of Munir El Haddadi, Dani Raba, and Diego García.

Espanyol, missing suspended Omar El Hilali and injured Pol Lozano, lined up in a 4-5-1 under Manolo González. Joan García started in goal behind a central defensive trio of Leandro Cabrera, Fernando Calero, and Marash Kumbulla, flanked by full-backs Carlos Romero and Jofre Carreras. Urko González de Zárate and Alex Král anchored midfield, with Javier Puado and Edu Expósito out wide, supporting lone striker Roberto Fernández.

Leganés on top in early stages

The hosts started aggressively, pressing high with . . .