Olmo fires Barca past Espanyol while Simeone’s son plays for Atlético

With second-placed Real Madrid out of action after their game in Valencia was canceled due to devastating flooding in the region, Hansi Flick’s surging Barcelona extended their lead over the champions.

Raphinha netted between Olmo’s goals to give Barcelona a three-goal lead in the 31st minute at the Olympic Stadium.

Javi Puado scored an equalizer as Espanyol fought hard in the second half to avoid a derby clash in which the visitors scored three disallowed goals.

“I’m not happy with the second half… we lost concentration, lost tension, in tennis they say unforced errors, but that happens sometimes,” admitted Flick.

“Today I accept it because we won, but for Wednesday (in Europe) we need a different level.”

Barcelona have started life in sensational form under Flick and, following wins against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, picked up a victory against Manolo Gonzalez’s side last week.

“I’m back, enjoying it, playing, winning and I want more,” Olmo told DAZN after his first start since mid-September.

Barca’s spectacular summer signing provided an electrifying first-half performance.

“He knows how to score goals, that was very important for us today,” Flick told reporters.

“That’s also the reason why we won this game and these important three points.”

Spanish teenage star Lamine Yamal scored his first goal with a superb pass over the outside of his boot, which Olmo fired with an explosive finish.

Brazilian winger Raphinha fired the second ball over Garcia as Marc Casado played a beautiful pass that split Espanyol’s defense.

Olmo added his second goal with a powerful low shot but Barcelona were left frustrated after that as 17th-placed neighbors Espanyol fought well.

After two Espanyol goals were ruled out for offside, Puado hit the net and another goal was disallowed because the ball was no longer in play.

Injured Barcelona winger Ferran Torres, from Foios in the Valencia region, wrote in a post on Instagram that he did not have the strength to come to the stadium to attend due to the effects of the floods that killed more than 210 people to watch the game.

“I completely understand that, it was normal,” said Flick, who suggested on Saturday that the entire round of games should have been postponed.

“There are things that are more important than football, he chose that and that’s normal.”

Atletico coach Diego Simeone had said there was “no point” playing games in La Liga due to flooding this weekend, but his team secured a comfortable win.

Donations of food and other useful products were collected in front of the Metropolitano Stadium to support the people affected by the floods in eastern Spain that killed more than 200 people.

“I’m really happy with my first goal for Atletico, but we can’t ignore everything that’s happening in Valencia, all the victims there. I send them my support and strength,” said Giuliano Simeone.

The hosts took the lead after 37 minutes when Nahuel Molina shot Simeone behind the defense with a long ball.

The striker, deployed by his father on the right wing, stormed into the penalty area and flicked the ball into the far corner.

“I see Giuliano as a football player,” said Diego Simeone.

“From the first moment we decided that he would stay with us (in the squad) this season, the intention was that he could help us.”

The coach explained that his son’s work rate was a key factor in his start.

“He has a responsibility and no name. “I see it like this: whoever runs the most plays, and whoever doesn’t plays less,” said the Argentine.

Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis shared a 1-1 draw at San Mames.

Pablo Fornals, born in Castellon, which was affected by the floods, scored for Betis and spoke tearfully on television after the game.

“Today was not a day to celebrate anything, neither football nor goals,” Fornals told DAZN.

rbs/dj