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González: "We have to be switched on from the first minute"

The coach previews the game against Real Madrid

With five matchdays remaining, Manolo González doesn't want to be distracted by anything but results. RCD Espanyol take on Real Madrid on Sunday in LaLiga, and he wants all three points from the contest.

"We're eager to have a good game. We have to be switched on from the first minute against a demanding opponent. We've deserved more throughout the second half of the season. But reality is what it is. There's no other option but to keep looking ahead to these five remaining matches and go all out tomorrow. We have to play intelligently and not let Real Madrid run, because they're lethal when they can do that."

“When you step onto the pitch, everyone wants to win. Tomorrow it will be just as difficult as other games, but we know we're capable of winning. We already did it last year when they were at their best, but to do that you have to be fully focused on the game, right up to the last minute.”

The coach also guaranteed that “the fans will continue to support the team. The other day it was understandable that they protested because they were expecting a victory and we weren't able to achieve it, and the game ended with the opposition hitting the crossbar. We weren't able to create as many chances as in other games. The second half wasn't good, and I understand the fans' frustration.”

“We're managing to regain some defensive stability, but what we need to try to do is get back to having that composure in the final third that we had in the first half of the season,” he concluded.