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Sánchez: "Newcastle United will be similar opponents to Atletico Madrid"

The defender previews the final preseason friendly of the summer

Espanyol will conclude their summer preparations this Friday with a friendly against Newcastle United, in what is expected to be the toughest match of their preseason.

The squad are convinced that the team have been evolving and are in good shape, as Rubén Sánchez explained on Thursday afternoon.

"We've been steadily getting better. Little by little, we've been picking up the rhythm and playing concepts, which should help us arrive to the start of the LaLiga season in the best possible shape.”

The defender, who hopes to establish himself as a regular in the team this year, explained that "we began these past few weeks with a lot of physical effort required, including plenty of double training sessions. Last week we beat Wolfsburg and Union Berlin, who were two very physical opponents, and we matched them both."

He also argued that Newcastle United will be "very similar" opponents to Atletico Madrid -whom they meet on Matchday 1- and that this should help them "gain a good feeling for LaLiga."

“I hope the team finish well, like last year, but that the goal we set out is achieved more quickly than last season."