BarcelonaEspanyol starts this Monday against Elche (9pm, Goal) the second round of the League with two winter reinforcements without having to go to the transfer market. Vicente Moreno has recovered three young players in recent weeks, Óscar Gil (23 years old), Miguelón Llambrich (25) and Jofre Carreras (20), who will provide much-needed oxygen to a right-back who, for the past two months, has suffered the wear and tear of the lack of alternatives.
Llambrich, who started at the start of the season as a substitute side theorist, was unable to start playing until the end of November because of a long period of inactivity, more than nine months without playing, after overcoming knee problems. A situation similar to that experienced by Carreras, who underwent surgery last March due to knee problems and could not reappear until December. Another affectation on the same joint, although in this case smaller than those of his two teammates, forced Gil, silver in the last Olympic Games, to be out for eight days.
With Álvaro Vadillo convicted of ostracism before packing for Malaga this month, the physical problems of the three youngsters forced Vicente Moreno to delegate to two veterans, Aleix Vidal (32 years old) and Adrián Embarba (29), the charge of almost every minute in the lateral and extreme right positions during the last months of competition. Between the end of October and the beginning of January, Puigpelat played 863 of the 1,170 total minutes (73%). He was a starter in 10 of the last 11 games. A significant burden for a Vidal who had just had an atypical pre-season, as he had had to train alone for a couple of months between ending his contract with Sevilla and signing for Espanyol.
Vidal, who had to follow a specific physical rehabilitation plan, had only played 340 minutes in the first 10 league games. Despite completing some great performances and signing a couple of goals, one of them well-billed against Real Madrid, the truth is that between his offensive temper and the lack of help at times by the winger of his lane they have caused that it has suffered force at defensive level in some confrontations.
Competition for Shaving
The case of Embarba, quite discussed this year (no goals and only two assists), is quite different, as he has not had to adapt to a different position. If the Madrid player is well, it is an indisputable piece on the far right, although Vidal’s arrival should have allowed him to rest in certain matches. But the fact that Puigpelat ended up being recycled on the right side left Vicente Moreno with this alternative on the far right.
However, he has had to play almost everything. So far, the Madrid winger has only lost two of the 22 games that Espanyol has played this season: the first round of the Copa del Rey at the Solares stadium, where he was not called up, and Balaídos, where he stayed at the sidewalk. He has won all 20 matches he has played, participating in 1,560 of the 1,800 minutes of these matches (86%).
The scenario, however, has changed in recent weeks. Óscar Gil, who was already a substitute in Mestalla and El Toralín, wants to close the circle by returning to the title against the same team against which he was injured in the first round, Elche. It is in this Valencian municipality where the winger was born 23 years ago, who grew up playing football in the illicit group.
His return, together with those of Carreras and Llambrich, expands the range of possibilities for a Vicente Moreno who needs to increase the productivity of a straight lane full of resources. And especially considering that the calendar is condensed this January by a Spaniard who will play four games in 11 days and who wants to stay alive in all competitions.
Pending the covid
To make the call, Moreno is awaiting the evolution of the coronavirus cases of the Christmas break. None of them have been able to train with the desired normalcy. The coach, who does not provide the lists of home games until the same day, will do everything possible to recover some of the infected. At the pre-match press conference, Moreno regretted that it would be played on weekdays because this could affect attendance at Cornellà-El Prat. If he wins in the first match of the second round, his Spaniard will be fully involved in the fight to enter Europe and will be just three points behind Barça.
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