Espanyol 0 : 0 Levante - Espanyol and Levante draw blank

Posted Sunday, March 23, 2014 by PA

Espanyol and Levante played out a goalless draw which suggested that neither of them will be in Europe next season.

The pair could not be more mid-table and had both highlighted this as a game to win if a late run for a Europa League place was to materialise.

Neither was capable of getting a three-point haul, though, and despite an entertaining start, the reality dawned after the break and the game died a death.

The early exchanges were good, though, and the only surprise was that a goal did not arrive.

Sixty-two seconds were on the clock when Espanyol's Simao Sabrosa swung in a cross that found Hector Moreno and his bullet header was tipped away by Keylor Navas.

All the running was in Espanyol's legs and Luis Pizzi worked Navas as well, before David Lopez sent one over the bar from distance.

Navas had to be on his mettle again to keep out Sergio Garcia's close-ranger but, after failing to score with all that pressure, Espanyol went into their shell a little.

That allowed Levante to impose themselves on the game and, as half-time approached, Hector Rodas should have done better when presented with a chance from 12 yards.

Levante took confidence into the second half too and would have gone in front within a minute of the restart had Francisco Casilla not produced a wonder save to keep out David Barral's header.

Issam El Adoua was the next man to work Casilla - this time from range - before Espanyol responded through a blocked Simao effort.

Opportunities continued to present themselves and Victor Casadesus worked Navas, who then made a stunning stop to repel a Sergio Garcia header.

That would prove to be the last action of note, though.