In recent years, the Europa-Sant Andreu has become a very heated Barcelona derby. Hours before the match began, the security detail deployed at the Nou Sardenya was already predicting that it would be a hot match. And that was the match, fast-paced, high-voltage, with many goals and a lot of tension. In the 49th minute, referee Javier Sáiz suspended the duel after the fence at the north goal fell, an area in which the Desperdicis, the radical group from Sant Andreu, were located. This fell at the moment when the fans were celebrating 3-5. Supporters fell onto the field and journalists who were in the area also received some blows. The meeting was not resumed for security reasons.
No one left the stadium after the suspension of the match was declared, which will resume on another date. The players regretted what happened and that it meant the paralysis of the game, but they understood that safety is what must take precedence. Although they tried to reposition the fence, it gave way again, which predicted that it could not continue like this.
The referees met with the captains of the two teams and with those responsible for the two fans. But the decision of the referees was clear: it could not continue like this. An attempt was made to replace the fence, but it gave way again, which showed that security could not be guaranteed. The president of Europa went down to the pitch to the affected area to check if there were any injuries (they did not complain) and so did the new owner of Sant Andreu, Taito Suzuki, who came down with a translator to speak with the quadribarrada fans. Without a doubt, a debut that the Japanese will never forget.
In subsequent statements, the Sant Andreu goalkeeper, Nil Torreguitart, pointed out that Europa had already warned of the problems with the north goal fence: “They had already complained to the Barcelona City Council and they say that they were not listened to.”
The first half was a clear demonstration that the derby was going to be crazy. The intensity of both teams was the general tone of the match. Europa was more behind, since they had to constantly come back on the scoreboard. In the second minute, Sant Andreu surprised the locals with a cross from the right wing by Paredes. That poisoned pass, which did not seem like it was going directly to the goal, ended up in the back of the net that Flere was defending.
The exchange of blows between both teams set the pace of the match and the ‘escapulats’ did not take long to respond to the ‘quadribarrats’. Europa brought out their potential in the set piece and Julián Mahicas tied the game four minutes after a corner served at the near post.
Equality did not last long. The team led by Xavi Molist took the lead again at the Nou Sardenya in the 9th minute of the match with a volley goal from Sergi Serrano, taking advantage of an assist from Méndez. After 1-2, Aday Benítez’s Europa tried to react and managed to balance the match again in the 25th minute with a goal from captain Alex Cano, which silenced the visiting fans, something that brought out the tension in the gracienc field The center back headed in a free kick served by his brother Jordi Cano.
With approaches on both goals, Sant Andreu’s plan seemed to work out better. Taking advantage of Europa’s high pressure (which also controlled possession of the ball), they did damage in counterattacks with the wingers. This was evident with the 2-3 score, which reached half an hour into the duel and whose author was Albertito. Viña served a perfect pass down the ground from the left wing and captain Santandreuenc converted with his left foot near the penalty spot.
At 39′, Benítez’s men made it 3-3 with a great action by Pimentel, the local striker. The ‘9’ of the escapulats took advantage of a center into the pot by Jordi Cano.
During the added time – the referee signaled six additional minutes – the referee decided to stop the match after detecting the throwing of a lighter by the visitors in the home area. The players of both teams went to the locker room tunnel, where they stayed for 13 minutes until the match resumed. To resume it, the captains of Europa and Sant Andreu first approached their fans to ask them for calm and calm.
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