Espanyol Prepares for Key Match Against Valencia at Mestalla

Espanyol is set to visit Mestalla tomorrow to take on Valencia. Under the guidance of coach Manolo González, the team is eager to secure a victory. Despite their relatively favorable league position, the Pericos have yet to win in 2026, with two losses and one draw in their three matches thus far. Nevertheless, the blanquiazules are hopeful for a win in a venue that has proven challenging for them in recent seasons. In a press conference today, González addressed various topics of interest, including the transfer market, the team’s current situation, and his criticisms of recent results as well as the scheduling of matches.

González stressed the need for the club to elevate its overall performance: “The cruising speed of a club is not solely determined by the team’s performance, whether positively or negatively. I believe the squad has been performing at a high level for some time now. We need the entire club to rise to that standard. Ambition must be a collective effort, not just from Manolo, Cabrera, or Expósito. If we aim to grow as a club, we must take steps forward. This is not a criticism; it’s a personal demand. We need to strive for improvement in all aspects of the club.”

Regarding the upcoming match at Mestalla, González remarked, “Knowing their coach, they will undoubtedly be aggressive and will aim to win. The atmosphere at the stadium is intense, and the opponent is formidable. If we analyze only their league position, which is currently 15th, and overlook their strengths, we will misjudge the situation. They are a well-organized team with clear tactical objectives. We’ve experienced similar situations. If we start the match strongly and challenge our opponents, it will be more difficult for them. We must be astute with the ball and clearly understand our defensive advantages. If we manage this well and avoid making errors, extending the match may work in our favor.”

On the topic of recent subpar results, he stated, “We need to evaluate the matches based on our performance. It’s true that we have struggled with our finishing. Barcelona scored a brilliant goal against us, while in our match with Girona, both goals were penalties. We deserved more from those games. Conversely, in the match against Sevilla, we did not deserve to draw or win. Patience is crucial; we are working diligently. If the team’s performance had been poor, it would be concerning not to win, but that is not the case; the matches haven’t been catastrophic.”

González offered a sarcastic take on the situation, saying, “It seems you are eager for Espanyol to lose, citing our tough period and referencing ‘finals.’ We are currently fifth, ten points ahead of eighth place. So yes, we are in a tough spot with a poor streak. We have created more chances than our opponents, and our defense has been solid in many situations. To win, we must be more clinical in front of goal. If we had taken the lead at home against Barcelona and Girona, the outcomes could have been very different. We have only secured one point out of nine, but the overall feeling does not reflect that tally.”

He humorously addressed his players, stating, “I told them to please win; otherwise, I might lose my job. The situation for Espanyol is dire, very poor. I see myself being let go… But we have agreed that we need to remain calm, patient, and analyze our mistakes. However, we also need to keep our feet on the ground, even when we win. In Vigo, we should have secured a draw. Losing should not deter us from recognizing the positive aspects of our performance.”

When discussing the transfer market, he noted, “The club’s interests are paramount, and I will always respect that. I know they are working hard, but it is not an easy market. It is predominantly a buying market rather than one for loans. For instance, Raúl Moro is set to leave for nine million euros. It’s challenging. Osasuna has managed to acquire a high-quality player. We are striving to bring in quality players who can enhance the team, but it’s a difficult task. I hope, as a coach, that new signings will arrive. This involves negotiations between the club, the player, and ensuring that the player fits well.”

González also criticized the scheduling of matches, stating, “We are the team in LaLiga that plays 48% of its matches midweek. This is perplexing. I consistently find myself discussing these issues, stepping into controversies I should avoid. But this is an objective fact visible to everyone. I cannot comprehend it. It seems unreasonable that Elche plays on Mondays and Fridays. It appears that Espanyol has become a free-for-all when it comes to scheduling. The club needs to take a stand, similar to how we addressed recent officiating issues. Yet, here I am, discussing these matters as if I were the one responsible. I am not particularly keen on delving into these issues.”