Espanyol’s Coach Prepares for Tough Match Against Alavés

Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, Nov. 1 (EFE) — Espanyol‘s coach, Manolo González, stated on Saturday that the team needs to be cautious about making mistakes in their upcoming match against Alavés. He warned, “errors against Alavés will be costly,” describing the match as a “very complicated and demanding” challenge against a well-organized opponent.

In a press conference at the RCDE Stadium, González pointed out that Alavés’s current ranking—12th place—does not reflect their actual quality, noting, “They have fewer points than they deserve. They rank as the third team in possession of the ball in opposing territory, which says a lot. We must remain focused.”

While discussing strategic preparation, González emphasized that although Alavés poses a strong challenge, Espanyol aims to leverage its own strengths. “We always have options offensively and defensively, adjusting to the game,” he said.

When asked about Alavés coach Eduardo Coudet, González praised him, saying, “No need for me to speak. When he arrived, the team faced challenges, but they competed well and survived. He has done great work, and this year his team is very recognizable.”

González mentioned that the Espanyol squad is in good spirits and fully engaged. He commended the physical preparation led by Daniel Parra and David Martín, saying, “We have two greats. The team is flying, and we aim to compete at the highest level.”

Addressing player discipline, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a full squad, saying, “If you finish ten matches with ten players, you’ll likely lose nine. I have always stressed this; we must avoid cautions for protests or losing our cool.”

Regarding team availability, Italian winger Luca Koleosho is sidelined after a recent injury during the Coppa match against Lleida. However, González confirmed he will be fit to play in the next La Liga game against Villarreal.