Barcelona have their work cut out for them in the second leg as they were defeated by an annoying Espanyol club that were rewarded for their aggressive tackling with just four yellow card, compared to Barcelona’s five, and the game winning goal scored late in the game by Oscar Melendo.
Barcelona came out of the gate determined to score an early away goal, pinning Espanyol deep from the opening whistle. The visitors had their first opportunity to open the score less than two minutes in, but from a dangerous spot Lionel Messi sent the free kick over the crossbar.