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González: "Osasuna are a complete side"
The coach previews LaLiga Matchday 3
RCD Espanyol hosts CA Osasuna this Sunday, and Los Pericos are looking to extend their strong start with another win against tough opposition -as coach Manolo González pointed out in his pre-match press conference.
“We're very motivated to have the best season possible. Tomorrow's game will be very difficult. Osasuna are a complete side and a club that have been doing well for many years; they're an example in every sense.”
However, the coach downplayed the adverse statistics against the team from Pamplona in recent seasons.
“Every game and every season is its own story. They'll be a tough team to play against. The fact that we haven't beaten them in so many games doesn't matter to me. Match statistics don't usually count for much,” he remarked.
“Our first objective is to reach 40 points as soon as possible. If it's before Matchday 30, it means we're ready to aspire to more. The team must grow by staying in the Primera División. We have to take things game by game and make sure people are proud of how we represent the club. Talking about objectives at this point is an outrageous thing to do,” González warned.
Asked about the winter transfer window, which ends on September 1st, González stated that he is "happy" with the new signings.
"There will be a big fight to play every week, and I like that. I'm happy with the work that's been done, the profiles of the players, and the options we have in the squad. I won't go into whether the transfer window is closed for us; nobody knows that. We've brought in the right players, considering the club's current situation. We have to be a recognisable team," he emphasised.
The boss also clarified that Clemens Riedel is registered "with a B team number, but he's a first-team player for all intents and purposes," adding that, except for the injured Javi Hernández, all players are available for Sunday.