The blue and white box beat Switzerland's Lucerne by 0-3 in the third round of the previous phase of the Europa League

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Although still not measured against an opponent with pedigree, Espanyol walks steadily in Europe. He passed without problems to the Stjarnan of Iceland in his premiere in the previous phase of the Europa League and this Thursday he beat Lucerne in the first leg of the third round. Carbura David Gallego's box, undefeated so far this preseason, clinging to Melendo's self-confidence and Ferreyra's goal. In Switzerland a new letter appeared: Matías Vargas, the most expensive signing in the history of Espanyol (10.5 million euros). The Argentine signed a goal to seal the 0-3. Before Dídac and Ferreyra had already scored. The 9 opened the scoring with a special goal for the blue and white parish: the celebration was a tribute to Dani Jarque on the day 10 years after his death.

Espanyol commemorated Jarque in Barcelona and Lucerne. The blue and white club recalled the former captain at gate 21 of the RCDE Stadium (where the statue of the youth player is located) and David Gallego's boys did the same at the Swissporarena Stadium, the home of FC Lucerne. The Catalan box technician did not risk in Switzerland. Gallego looked for a safe Espanyol with the ball, well wrapped in the rear. With Marc Roca and Víctor Sánchez in the midfield axis, guarded by the side Pedrosa and Melendo as interiors. Football, then, was at the mercy of Melendo's creativity and the scoring power of Ferreyra and Borja Iglesias.

The Argentine forward did not fail. As in every game since Gallego took over the Espanyol bench, Ferreyra scored his name on the scoreboard. The 9 moved away from the area, checked the leather in the alley of 10 and looked for Melendo. The stonecutter broke lines and put the leather on Ferreyra's head to sign his sixth summer goal, the fourth in the previous phase of the Europa League. The goal of Espanyol did not change the dynamics of the game. The blue and white box dominated the leather and the Lucerne took refuge in his field waiting for Eleke to find a hole to break behind the Catalan defense or surprise Diego López with a strategic play. But neither the Nigerian striker scared Gallego's defense nor the direct foul of Ndengue (in the first shot on goal of the duel) surprised the blue and white goalkeeper.

Golazo de Vargas

Lucerne did not even take advantage of Javi López's dismissal: Schulz got tangled up with the ball when Diego López was already defeated. But Espanyol didn't want problems. He used the ball as a compass to move the Swiss team until Marc Roca accelerated and found Dídac. The side glared at Müller. Nothing to do for the goalkeeper, who had already shone in front of a great shot by Borja Iglesias. Then it was time to meet Matías Vargas. First fighter, then scorer, the Argentine end dribbled to the side and at the apex of the area he took a beautiful, threaded shot, impossible for the goal of Lucerne. Espanyol is excited with Vargas, after taking a new step in Europe, waiting to play the return duel on Thursday next in Cornellà before premiering in LaLiga against Sevilla.