The 2010–11 RCD Espanyol season marked the
club's 80th year, navigating the challenges of La Liga and the Copa del Rey
under the guidance of Argentine head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Entering the season with aspirations of a
top-half finish, Espanyol showcased their determination early on. A strong
start included a 3–1 home victory against Getafe, with Italian striker Dani
Osvaldo and Argentine midfielder Jesús Dátolo leading the charge. The team's
remarkable home form saw them secure seven victories in their first seven
matches at Cornellà-El Prat.
However, the away fixtures presented a
contrasting picture, as Espanyol faced defeats against Villarreal, Real Madrid,
and Real Sociedad. The tide turned with a 1–0 victory over Mallorca, breaking
the away losing streak. The Copa del Rey journey commenced with a 2–0 triumph
against Real Valladolid.
A noteworthy away league win against Atlético
Madrid, with Osvaldo scoring the decisive goal, further highlighted Espanyol's
resilience. The festive season, however, brought challenges, including a 5–1
defeat to Barcelona. Despite this setback, the team remained in an impressive
5th position after sixteen matches.
The Copa del Rey last 16 encounter against
Atlético Madrid saw Espanyol facing a 1–0 defeat. The start of 2011 witnessed
losses to Valencia and Atlético Madrid, signaling their exit from the Copa del
Rey. A subsequent positive run featured a 4–0 home win over Real Zaragoza and
victories against Sevilla and Getafe.
As the season progressed, Espanyol faced
inconsistencies, experiencing a sequence of losses in March and April. A
notable 4–1 victory over Real Sociedad provided a momentary respite. Despite a
final win against Athletic Bilbao in May, the team ended the campaign with
losses to Barcelona and Real Zaragoza.
The season concluded with Espanyol hosting
Sevilla, ending in a 3–2 defeat. Osvaldo emerged as the top scorer with
thirteen goals in the league. The club secured an 8th-place finish, falling
short of a UEFA Europa League spot but achieving their best league performance
since 2004–05.
President Daniel Sánchez Llibre led the club through a season of highs and lows, while Mauricio Pochettino navigated the challenges as the head coach at Cornellà-El Prat. The season encapsulated the resilience and determination of RCD Espanyol, marking both progress and setbacks in their storied history.