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González: "I'm sure that the team will respond to the challenge"
The coach previews the crucial game against UD Las Palmas
The 2024/25 season reache its finale on Saturday evening at the RCDE Stadium, as RCD Espanyol host UD Las Palmas with top flight survival on the line.
Just as last year's match against Oviedo in the playoff finals defined the campaign, this one takes on massive importance for Los Pericos.
Coach Manolo González spoke in a pre-match press conference on Friday, saying "I handle pressure quite well. Since I arrived here, everything has been about extreme situations. When I have to leave, hopefully in a few years, I'll already be immune to pressure."
"In the last few weeks I've felt the team's confidence. And I will repeat what I said a year ago because I'm confident based on everything I've seen the players do every day. Tomorrow the team will respond to the challenge, I'm sure."
"We are Espanyol, and we have battled through very difficult situations. We always pick ourselves back up. I have no doubt that the team will compete well, because they are coming into this one confident. Throughout the season, they have given their all for this club."
He recalled that “if the team weren't aware of our situation, we wouldn't be in a position to stay up. The commitment in the dressing room is beyond doubt. I've seen it every week: they want to stay in the Primera División.”
In his analysis, the coach reiterated that “we have our fate in our own hands. When you reach a critical situation, it's best to have it depend on you. It's essential. In recent weeks we've deserved more than we've achieved. But right now, we only have one scenario in mind: Staying in the Primera División.”
"UD Las Palmas compete well, but I expect a reliable Espanyol that will go all out for the win from the first minute. We have to minimise the dangers they can create and focus on that idea.”