RCD Espanyol’s head coach, Manolo González, is looking ahead with determination as the team prepares for their upcoming match against Villarreal on Monday night. Espanyol, seeking to regain momentum after a challenging stretch, sees this fixture as a crucial opportunity to secure three vital points in their quest for success.
In his recent press conference, González emphasized the importance of recapturing their strengths, particularly the ability to keep clean sheets, which he identified as fundamental to their strategy moving forward. He acknowledges that recent challenges have caused shifts in fortune, stating, “Those little things that were going our way before, are now going against us.”
He highlighted the formidable nature of their opponent, Villarreal, noting, “They have one of the four best squads in LaLiga.” Recognizing the strength of the competition, González aims for his team to compete at their best, expressing a resolute desire to achieve victory.
Calmness under pressure is a recurring theme in González’s remarks. He stressed the need for both himself and the players to maintain composure during this testing period. “We have to keep our feet on the ground and get back to competing at our highest level,” he stated. Acknowledging the current standings, with Espanyol sitting in sixth place with 34 points, he articulated a clear goal to reach 42 points swiftly to solidify their season.
González reminded everyone of the extraordinary performance they delivered in the first half of the season, calling for patience and understanding as they work through this period. “We’re a good side away from home, and we need to continue in that vein to keep improving,” he said.
In terms of team news, González confirmed that players Terrats and Romero will miss the match against Villarreal due to loan stipulations. However, he expressed excitement about the potential impact of winter signing Ngonge, who is poised to make his debut. “He’s a player who can play in several positions. He’s ready to make his debut,” he added.
As Espanyol gears up for this critical encounter, the team remains hopeful that they can shift their fortunes and reignite the form that has brought them success earlier in the season. The determination and focus from González and his squad suggest that they are ready to fight for the points they desperately need.