C.D. Leganés couldn't earn a point at the RCDE Stadium and fell (1-0) against Espanyol. Mauricio Pellegrino's men went behind at the 9th minute when Borja Iglesias took advantage of a rebound on the crossbar to open the account. The cucumbers tried but their 9-game unbeaten run came to an end in Barcelona.
Borja Iglesias opened the account for Espanyol early on
The match started with Leganes putting on pressure on their rivals, setting for the counter and trying to recover the ball quickly. But Espanyol hit first when in the 9th minute, ex-cucumber David López hit the crossbar from long distance and Borja Iglesias was there to put the rebound in.
After the goal Espanyol grew into the game and went close again, first a header from Baptistao and then with a shot by Borja Iglesias.
Leganés came close to Diego López' goal without any real danger
Lega little by little tested their luck against Diego Lopez without ever giving him much trouble through shots by Carrillo and a free-kick by Óscar Rodríguez.
In the second half the cucumbers tried to get an equalizer but the locals had the better chances. First Baptistao couldn't finish one-on-one against Cuéllar and then Siovas cleared another shot by Baptistao to keep Lega in the game.
El Zhar had the best chance for the cucumbers
Recio, Juanfran and El Zhar were introduced during the second half and the latter had the best chance for the cucumbers. After a cross by Silva, the Moroccan controled the ball but his shot went over the bar.
Things didn't go well for Lega and in the last minute Gerard Gumbau was sent off for a second yellow card.
Leganés will come back to action on January 9 at Santiago Bernabéu for the first leg of the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey.
