Espanyol face a week that can be momentous for their aspirations to maintain the category. And it is that after the painful KO against Levante on Saturday, which has returned him to the red lantern of the classification, Abelardo's team is almost forced to add 6 of 6 points in the next two games in dispute (Betis and Real Madrid) so as not to start saying goodbye prematurely to the dream of salvation.
Is it impossible to beat Betis and Real Madrid? Not, if Espanyol shows its first post-coronavirus version, the football that led Alavés to win in the 'redebut' and to scratch a meritorious Getafe draw. But it will turn out a more than complicated task if the image of Saturday is repeated against Levante, a blue and white team without a soul, soft behind, little intense and without artillery above.
After the two steps back they took when they lost on Saturday and that all their direct rivals scored this weekend, Espanyol are now forced to take the next two games. There's no more.
Beat Betis, taking advantage of the fact that in Heliopolis the troubled waters come down after stopping Rubi, and then finish the job with a victory that would be superlative to beat Real Madrid at home. Furthermore, the direct rivals of parakeets do not have an easy schedule in this week, being more than one puncture feasible.
In these two days, the Leganés He receives Granada first and then visits Pamplona to face Osasuna. The Mallorca He is the one who has it the worst, since he goes to Valdebebas to face Real Madrid and then travels to San Mamés to face Athletic. Finally, the Eibar, the club that marks permanence, receives Valencia first and ends in Granada.
Espanyol must do their homework, score six points this week, and expect some puncture from the ‘inhabitants’ in the queue. Take oxygen again before starting July where the parakeets They have three heart attack duels at home against rivals to save: Leganés, Eibar and Celta, all three have to go through the RCDE Stadium.
From Tomás, key
Except surprise, Raúl de Tomás will be the novelty in the call that Abelardo tomorrow for Thursday's game against Betis. It is urgent to give I rest Calleri or Wu Lei, denied before goal on Saturday. And hope that the coach's criticism of some players will serve as a shock to leave Villamarín to die. Nothing is impossible … yet.
The first team return to training this Tuesday in the Sports City (10 hours). The technical body will be very aware of De Tomás and the evolution of his annoyances and they will cross their fingers so that no player drags discomfort from the game against Levante.