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González: "We are not inferior to any opponent"
The RCD Espanyol coach talks about the derby with FC Barcelona
RCD Espanyol's derby against FC Barcelona on Thursday is a big game for both sides, but Los Pericos coach Manolo González is focused firmly on what his side need to do.
“We want to confirm our top flight safety as soon as possible. We're coming off three defeats, but aside from the poor first half the other day, we've competed well. That's why we want to return to the level we showed in the second half of the game against Leganés," he said in his pre-match press conference.
He added that “in the world of football, there are bad matches for every team. We are strong, convinced of what we are doing, and we will compete at the highest level. We are not inferior to any opponent.”
The coach reiterated that “what worries me, what concerns me, and what matters to me is what our team do. What we did in April was very difficult, and we are still in a prime position to achieve our objective. Nothing else is on my mind.”
He acknowledged, however, that he expects FC Barcelona to perform like "a great team, as they've shown they are all season. They are very close to winning the LaLiga title, and they deserve it. No one has gifted them anything."
"What concerns me is us winning for our own needs, not for other reasons. We have to focus on ourselves and not look any further than that. We have to return to our best competitive form. We've already been able to beat Real Madrid, and we'll go out for this game with that same intention: To compete at our best."
"Our plan for the game is to defend and run a lot. We've made teams suffer against us, made them feel uncomfortable, and that comes with a lot of work. It will be a demanding match, but if you want to beat Real Madrid or Barcelona, you have to have that desire in your veins from long before the game. We created chances in the first game against them, but we have to defend better than we did at Montjuic."
He also emphasised that "being highly motivated for the match is good, but we need to do that with a level head. We've been through some very tough times and haven't lost our composure. I hope composure will help us compete correctly. We don't just want to win, tomorrow, but also in the other two remaining matches as well. We're giving our all for Espanyol."