Antonio Hidalgo, Sabadell coach, is perfectly aware of the difference in level between his team and Espanyol, but he did not make any excuses at the pre-match press conference. The Harlequin coach was optimistic and confident that his men will carry out what they have trained during the week and will be able to win the first game of their league. In addition, they recover cash.
Potential difference with Espanyol: “These are situations that occur in the Second Division in recent years. Those who go down in the category have help in the first year, but in the end there are two teams that will be measured on Sunday, with different characteristics, different situations. We prepare the game thoroughly “We will have our options. Espanyol will as well. The game will be seen, I hope, that I have in mind. David against Goliath may be an accurate description, but it is of no use to us.”
Good start for Espanyol: “They are very aware of the category where they are. Their coach is very aware of the difficulty of the Second Division. They are very clear about it. They have details that they are very aware. Tomorrow, Saturday, they will be sleeping here in Sabadell … Esp shows it in They take it seriously, they know what it's about, they'll be focused.
Play at home. “We have this desire to be at home. We would like the public to be there, giving us support but surely they will push from outside.”
30 years without playing Espanyol. “That means what it means. That Espanyol has been in the First Division and Sabadell has not played the Second too much, and when we arrived they were in the First Division. It is a very nice game, almost a derby”
Espanyol is the best team. “It is the team with the most resources and potential. That everyone agrees. I have in mind how to hurt them, we have worked on it during the week, then to see if it comes out on the field. The opposing coach will think the same”
Physical state: “We will arrive much better at the end of the game. We will also recover players. Cuevas and Coch will surely arrive and Ángel will return. That opens up an important range for making decisions. Against teams like Espanyol it is very important to be physically fit.
Coch: “We are still pending some last minute situation but it will be. He is eager and has done a great job. The will of the player is very important. The more effective we have the better”
Market: “I will not talk about players who are not here. It is true that as we are all looking for options in different positions to see if any operation can be done between now and Monday. Being Sabadell it is not easy to close signings. There is a lot of competition. I trust a lot in the work of sports management “
Friendly frustrated: “It was closed, approved and Espanyol in the end did not want to play.”