Back As RCD Espanyol return to action on Saturday at home to Atletico Madrid, coach Manolo González put talk of refereeing, the team’s schedule, fatigue for international players and more to one side.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said that he doesn’t see any difference in Atletico Madrid’s recent performances, although he acknowledged that “they’ve had two strange results, against Real Madrid and against Barcelona, when they were leading 2-0 in the 70th minute. But what they’ve shown is that they’re a team with great power, that compete well, and that are built to fight for every trophy.”
“It will be a very difficult game. They’re a great side. But I also look at my players now, and we see ourselves as being capable of beating anyone.”
González pointed out that, in the last month, RCD Espanyol have only been able to play two matches (due to the suspension of the Villarreal game due to force majeure) and now they have a stretch of six in just over three weeks.
“The team are physically fit. We’re professionals, and we have to be prepared for this. That’s what it takes,” he stated.
Regarding the controversy that still resonates from the last match against RCD Mallorca, he commented that “I’ve told the players that we can’t lose our heads. We can’t give up on the game. We have to compete and focus on the game, which is what it’s all about. We have to be focused on competing at our best to win.”
He also insisted that this match “won’t be like the one in the first half of the season. I think there will be more chances for us.”
“Diego Simeone has been with the same team for many years, and that’s extremely difficult to do. His career, his trophies, the squad’s performance every year… That says it all,” he added.
“Our fans have identified with the team, they know the difficulties we face, they are aware that it will be a very difficult season, so I can only thank them and hope they continue like this until the end.”
