The requirement of the First Division does not allow the adaptation to the highest category to be slow. Espanyol, who still do not know the victory this season, do not want to hear about emergencies after an initial stretch of the season where the sensations have been much better than the results. But the reality, that in some days has been cruel with the white-and-blues, dictates that they only add 2 of the 12 disputed points. And the calendar, far from giving a truce, is on the rise.
The Spanish team visits this Sunday (6.30 pm, M. LaLiga) a Betis that has just played in the Europa League on Thursday, but which has enough staff to combine both competitions with guarantees. On Wednesday, Espanyol will host Alava, and will later face Sevilla and Real Madrid. Four days of high demand before reaching the next stop for selections. The challenge, however, must be more motivating than scaring a Spaniard who has returned to Primera to stay there, and who has already shown in front of very high level rivals such as Villarreal or Atlético who have a team to compete with anyone.
Conditioned by some absences – the sanctions of Darder and Sergi Gómez, or the injuries of Pedrosa, Puado and David López -, Vicente Moreno has been retouching the design and the system of his equipment during this initial section of League until finding a balance between defensive solidity, combinatorial ability, and offensive arguments that should most likely have continuity. “Right now we are more inclined to do things right than to look at the standings,” admitted the coach of Massanassa in the preview of the match to Benito Villamarín.
The resources of long shots and vertical play have proved ineffective and do not enhance the virtues of the team at all. While waiting to see what role Yangel Herrera plays and whether David López is still untouchable in the middle, the triple associative pivot formed by Morlanes, Darder and Melendo vindicated himself in front of the current champion as a proposal to be taken into account. throughout this course. It is, in fact, a triple association similar to the one that already guided the team in Europe at the hands of Rubi in 2019 (changing Morlanes for Roca). “They are three high-level players who fit well into any drawing and philosophy of play,” added the coach, who acknowledged that two of them, Morlanes and Melendo, ended up asking for the change due to physical problems. They both debuted this course and did so with good marks until they were replaced. Espanyol noticed his absence in the final stretch of the match against Atlético.
Against Betis, a team that usually has more ball possession than Madrid, Moreno did not rule out repeating the formula. “The proposal to have the ball does not have to be invalid against them. The basis, the way to do it, will be the same, beyond the fact that we can make any change of player or certain position “, clarified the coach, who made it clear that he gives” more importance “to what his team than at the proposal of the rival. Moreno is clear: Espanyol has arguments to be the protagonist regardless of the rival. Consolidating a proposal is essential to be able to grow throughout the course. Of course, as long as you end up finding the results that guarantee your survival.
The duel with more Catalans in Primera
This Sunday’s match will be the duel between the two teams with the most Catalan players in the First Division. Espanyol leads the list, with nine players (representing 36% of the total first team squad), followed closely by Betis, which has eight (32%) and Barça, which has seven (30%). Half of those who play for the Andalusian team (Bartra, Víctor Ruiz, Tello and Edgar González) were trained at Espanyol.
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