Espanyol will host Girona FC this Monday in a match corresponding to matchday 27 of LaLiga EA Sports. Manolo González’s team, after their match against Villarreal was postponed a week ago, returns to competition hoping to continue their improved results and performance seen before the break. This pause came at an inopportune moment, as the team’s positive momentum after their first away victory in Vitoria had raised hopes for a good result in Villarreal. Now, there is some concern about how the competitive break might have affected them, especially considering Girona’s recent form.
Girona Arrives at the Match Against Espanyol with Their Own Urgencies
Girona comes to the RCDE Stadium after failing to completely break their bad run of results against Celta. However, last Saturday’s draw at Montilivi gave Míchel’s players some breathing room after three consecutive defeats. Girona, with twelve games remaining, is not mathematically safe from relegation nor can they completely rule out a European spot. They have only won once in their last six matches, distancing them from European places and forcing them to win in the upcoming games, starting with this match against Espanyol. This derby is considered key for Girona to rejoin the fight for European competition next season or to start forgetting about that objective, a lesser prize after being the revelation team last season and debuting, albeit unsuccessfully, in the Champions League this year.
Míchel acknowledged in the pre-match press conference that “the team mentally needs a good result. I think we did well the other day after 1-2, but we need to win, and things will look different. But to win, we have to play a great game and be at our best. It will be a difficult match against a rival that is in great form. The Espanyol match is within our league, and we want to win to be closer to the first objective, which is to stay in Primera.” Regarding the debate about whether it is a derby or not, he clarified: “It is a special match. It is true that it can be said that it is a derby. It is a match that is important for our fans, just like for us. I always want to play these matches; hopefully, we can play this match next year, both for Espanyol and for us. It is an important match, the players are clear about it, and so am I. It is true that it is just another match, and each match has its things. For the table and for our situation, it is a very important duel.” The coach explained that “Espanyol is very dangerous because when they have the opportunity to run, they do it very well. They are using Roberto well, with passes to the forward. He controls the ball well, wins duels in space, and they have players like Puado, Jofre, and Král who are very good at running into space. Therefore, the control of the match must be ours, with the ball, but also playing it well to reach zone three and finish plays.” Despite acknowledging that “Espanyol has improved” compared to the first half of the season, he was confident that “we have the characteristics to win this match. I am not worried or afraid. I always have the normal uncertainty before matches, but I trust the team. I am sure they want to improve their performance from the first leg, it is normal. But we, right now, are in a situation where we need to play a great game. But not because it is Espanyol, but for ourselves.”
Espanyol Seeks Three Points That Would Be Worth Their Weight in Gold
Espanyol hosts Girona after being forced to rest for a matchday, with the question of whether they would have been able to continue their good away form after achieving their first away win. Manolo González has had to modify the team’s plan after the postponement of the match against Villarreal, setting the goal of maintaining his men’s level of performance thinking about Girona’s visit. This match has a special component due to the rivalry created in recent years and the humiliating defeat suffered both on and off the field in the first leg. However, for the coach and his players, the priority is to secure three points that would be fundamental to settle in the table and solidify the team’s aspirations for staying in the league.
In the pre-match press conference for this Espanyol vs Girona, Manolo González referred to the match more as a test than a revenge for what happened in Montilivi: “There is a feeling of wanting to win because we want to secure salvation. That means continuing to be strong at home. We have to go out to die. For our fans, it would be a very nice victory. They were far superior there; it is more of a test than a revenge. Revenges lead you to be too impulsive. We have to go out to play our game and win.” In any case, he rejected the favorite label, despite the two teams’ recent form: “In Primera, the only favorites are the ones at the top. The others are very even matches that are very difficult to win. I don’t believe in favorites. And we have to run a lot and work hard to overcome Girona.” At the same time, he predicted a match that “due to the level of the opponent and their coach, will be complicated. They know what they are playing for, they have many variations to hurt you. It will be a chess match from the benches.”