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The coach looks ahead to the game against Villarreal CF
Manolo González’ first concern, ahead of the press conference for the game against Villarreal CF, was to offer his thoughts to Fran Garagarza, who is still recovering from the heart attack he suffered earlier this week.
The coach stated that he had received the news “with great surprise because nobody expected it. We send our best wishes to both him and Carlos Mira (the club photographer) and hope they both recover as soon as possible.”
For the Espanyol coach, the match on Saturday will be “very tough and physically demanding. We can beat anyone, but we can’t compare ourselves to Villarreal in terms of budget or squad. To try to do that, we have to do things right and stay in the Primera División for four or five consecutive seasons, taking it one step at a time. Right now we’re far from that, but if we compete in a single match, we can win.”
He also emphasised that “I don’t see Villarreal as vulnerable,” referring to their recent Champions League defeat.
“They’re going to come here frustrated, and that’s why it will be an extremely difficult game. We’ll have to work incredibly hard until the very end.”
González also confirmed that the club will not be paying on loan Carlos Romero and Ramon Terrats’ clauses to be available against their parent club “because they’re too high and don’t make sense for just one match,” and revealed that Salinas will be Romero’s replacement. “He’s a very competitive player and hasn’t had many minutes so far, but he’s ready, and we have complete confidence in him,” he insisted.
Finally, speaking about this Sunday’s opposition, he took the opportunity to praise Gerard Moreno.
“For me, he’s one of the best strikers around right now. He’s different. He’s top-class. I hope I can have him here again at Espanyol.”
