C.D. Leganés collect a point on their visit to Ipurua (1-1)

C.D. Leganés managed to go home from their Ipurua visit with one point as they drew 1-1 against hosts S.D. Eibar. Jon Bautista was the sole pepinero goalscorer in his debut fixture, while Edu Expósito levelled the game for the home side. Bruno González and Lazar Randjelovic also made their first appearances in blue and white.

Asier Garitano lined up his team with 6 changes to the starting XI last time out. With Omeruo, Shibasaki and Bárcenas unavailable due to national call ups and José Arnaiz's absence due to Covid-19, the new starters were Tarín, Naim, Fede Vico, Rubén Pardo, Bruno González and Bautista, these last two playing their first minutes as pepineros, while Pardo made his first appearance under Leganés ownership.

Both teams kicked the game off with high intensity, pressing hard to win possession and deny any build up play. Rubén Pardo was the first to try his luck for Leganés with a shot that was deflected clear by Venancio's head, before the hosts tested Riesgo with a shot from Expósito's boot. Bautista started to make himself known to the armero defense with a headed effort that fell wide from Palencia's cross on the right. 

Bautista heads Leganés in front, but Expósito claws back an equaliser before halftime

In the 24', Leganés took the lead off of Rubén Pardo's in-swinging corner, which connected with Bautista's head to hit the crossbar and take a fortunate touch off Cantero in goal to bounce over the line. It is the first goal the striker on loan from Real Sociedad has scored for the club, notching it on his debut. 

Garitano's men tried to take control of the game, looking particularly threatening on the counter-attack that almost always led by Rubén Pardo and Fede Vico. However, in the 39' Eibar equalised with a great shot from Edu Exposito to level the game with a goal each after 45 minutes. 

A solid Leganés side held off the home side in the second half.

The second half began with Leganés trying to get forward, with Sabin Merino's first shot being blocked by the defence after a great change of direction by home-grown player Naim. After the hour mark, Leganés made their first two changes, bringing on Recio and Borja Garcés in place of Rubén Pardo and Sabin Merino. The game was becoming more and more evenly matched and there were few chances in the area.

In minute 72, Serbian winger Lazar Randjelovic, on loan from Olympiacos, made his debut, replacing Jon Bautista on the right and moving Naim to the left. The home side pressed forward with the introduction of Stoichkov and Blanco Leschuk. With ten minutes to go, Quintillà and Doukouré replaced Javi Hernández, who was injured, and Luis Perea in Asier Garitano's final changes. Both teams went in search of goals in the closing stages, with both sides coming close in both areas. Corpas had the chance for Eibar, while Recio saw his shot saved by Etxeita in stoppage time. The last chance fell to Etxeita himself, who headed over from Aketxe's free-kick.

In the end, the points were shared and Leganés got their first away point in the league. Their next game will be on Friday 10 (21:00) in Gijón against Real Sporting.

Un sólido Leganés contuvo las embestidas locales en la segunda mitad

Comenzaba la segunda parte con el Leganés tratando achuchar, con un primer remate de Sabin Merino taponado por la zaga tras un gran cambio de orientación del canterano Naim. Sobrepasada la hora de partido, el Leganés introducía sus dos primeros cambios dando entrada a Recio y Borja Garcés en lugar de Rubén Pardo y Sabin Merino. El choque se igualaba cada vez más y las llegadas a las áreas escaseaban.

En el 72’ hacía su debut el extremo serbio Lazar Randjelovic, cedido por el Olympiacos, sustituyendo a Jon Bautista, colocándose en la derecha y pasando Naim a la izquierda. Apretaban los locales con la entrada de Stoichkov y Blanco Leschuk. A diez del final, Quintillà y Doukouré sustituían a Javi Hernández, tocado, y Luis Perea en los últimos cambios de Asier Garitano. Los dos equipos lo buscaban en el tramo final, con acercamientos a las dos áreas. Corpas la tenía para el Eibar, mientras que Recio veía cómo su remate lo sacaba Etxeita ya en el añadido. La última sería para el propio Etxeita, que cabeceaba alto una falta sacada por Aketxe.

Al final, reparto de puntos y el Leganés que se suma su primer punto a domicilio en esta liga. Su próximo encuentro será el viernes 10 (21:00 horas) en Gijón ante el Real Sporting.