Espanyol’s Tough Start to 2026: Edu Expósito Optimistic for Change

Espanyol has not had an optimal start to 2026. While the team remains in fifth place in the standings, thanks to the lead they built over their competitors, coach Manolo González’s squad has yet to secure a victory this year. Currently, they are on a streak of two losses and one draw, accumulating only one point from the last nine available. Today, one of the team’s key players, Edu Expósito, addressed the press at the Dani Jarque and expressed hope for a turnaround with a win against Valencia. The midfielder noted that he is experiencing the best form of his career, discussed his future, and shared his thoughts on the transfer market and match scheduling.

On recent results, Expósito stated, “I believe the team has done some things well to achieve better results in these three matches of 2026. We have lacked precision in small details, which impacted the last match. The penalty against Girona made things harder for us. In Valencia, when we scored first against Levante, we were quickly equalized within two minutes. I think if we can correct these minor details, we’ll be closer to winning again.”

Regarding the incidents against Girona, he commented, “The tension of the match, with so much at stake, led to some decisions by the referee that we didn’t agree with. There were some actions like throwing bottles… but that’s behind us now, and we need to move on.”

When asked about the team’s recent dip in form, he remarked, “These are just details. I think we’ve always been competitive in the games. For instance, even in the last match where we conceded a second goal in the dying minutes, we were close to equalizing. I don’t think our performances have been poor; against Barça, if we had taken the lead, I believe we would have secured the three points. The second half against Levante was strong, and while we struggled in the first half, I believe the team is in a good place. We just need to secure a win in 2026.”

On transfer market rumors, Expósito mentioned, “We are uncertain about the club’s stance; the market is still open. With our captain’s injury, we certainly feel his absence.”

He also highlighted the team’s strong execution during set pieces: “There’s a lot of work put into this every week. We have great headers, which is crucial because while we can deliver the ball well, it’s up to them to finish strong. Those who go in and make contact deserve credit for that. Everything is a product of hard work.”

Expósito expressed criticism regarding Monday matches, stating, “The game against Villarreal is quite close to home, which means a large displacement of our fans. We enjoy having our supporters with us, and playing on a Monday, especially so close, is challenging. We dislike having to play on Mondays in Villarreal; it’s happened too often. We might complain, but it seems that the schedule won’t change. So, we’ll stay focused, keep working hard, and aim to win regardless of the timings.”

Reflecting on his current level, he shared, “International selection seems far off. My focus is on maintaining my current form, and yes, I believe this is the best level I’ve been at in my career. Now, I just need to score some goals to further assist the team.”

As for the upcoming match at Mestalla, he emphasized, “We need to return to the form we exhibited earlier. I think our second halves have been solid. We understand the significance of this match and what playing at Mestalla entails. We are aware of the game we need to prepare for.”

Regarding his future with Espanyol, he concluded, “Ultimately, if the club makes me feel valued, I have no doubts about wanting to continue my journey here for a long time. It all depends on them.”