MADRID, 27 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The RCD Espanyol coach, Diego Martínez, stressed this Saturday that they have to “focus” their energy on competing with their “best version” to face Real Madrid, a team against whom they play “never comes at the best time”, although ” playing against the best” is a “good time” to “bring out the best in you”.
“Playing against Madrid never comes at a good time, but it is always a good time to play against the best to get the best out of you. We have to focus our energy on competing with our best version. It is a team that has improved, and with the confidence from the previous year. It’s a challenge, a challenge”, analyzed the coach at the press conference prior to this Sunday’s match (22.00) against Real Madrid.
The coach insisted that the team must “be motivated” for a game of such magnitude, a quality that he does see in the squad. “It’s tremendous what they strive for, what they want to improve”, he praised his pupils, whom he warned that to beat the white team they will have to have “their best day” and Ancelotti’s “the worst”.
“We need to give more continuity to the good moments we have had in the games. The team is growing and assimilating, but we have to be realistic and honest, it is the beginning of a road that we hope will be very long”, he expressed about the evolution of the Espanyol, which has only added one point in the last two games.
Martínez also had good words for Ancelotti, whom he sees as a “personal and professional example”. “With so many titles, and coaching clubs of such a level, in itself it says a lot. And he has successfully managed very complicated situations. If you add humility, kindness and education, how he treated me, obviously I have him in the highest high esteem.
Regarding the transfer market, the coach revealed that there are “four or five” new signings left, at the same time that he positively assessed the arrivals of José Carlos Lazo and Dani Gómez. “They come to help us and support the squad, hopefully they find their best version with us. They are very excited and have an excellent attitude,” he added.
He also celebrated the renewal of Sergi Darder until 2026. “It is more than the news of the year, beyond football it represents a DNA and values. I feel privileged to be able to train him and the Espanyol players should feel very proud”, he applauded.
Finally, and after confirming the loss of Raúl de Tomás, he wished that the ‘perica’ fans support the team this Sunday to “compete together”. “We are convinced and we believe in the project, more than a result, I am concerned with creating something solid for the medium and long term,” he concluded.