Although it has not really closed –because the wound is still open, because the month continues until next Monday–, Espanyol did close in practice a terrible January in terms of results. No wins, no matter how much they got through the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey on penalties against Ponferradina (1-1). With the elimination precisely in the KO tournament at the hands of Mallorca (1-2). And with one point out of nine possible in LaLiga, after the setbacks at home against Elche (1-2) and Betis (1-4) and the draw at the buzzer against Cádiz (2-2) at the Nuevo Mirandilla. What is coming seems more fearsome.
La Liga Santander
*Data updated as of January 25, 2022
on paper, the month of February is presented for Espanyol as an authentic Tourmalet, without respite, against important rivals. Begin to without the sanctioned Raúl de Tomás on Monday 7, in San Mamés, in front of a Athletic Club who comes from taking three points from the Vallecas fort (0-1) and previously getting Barcelona (3-2) out of the Copa del Rey, after having reached the Super Cup final the previous week; will arrive at the appointment, yes, four days after having faced Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Cup. That same week in Bilbao, specifically On Sunday the 13th, Vicente Moreno’s men will receive their eternal rival: Barcelona.
Irregular throughout the season and also since the arrival of Xavi Hernández, who debuted in the first round derby, the clash will arrive at the gates of Barça’s debut in the Europa League, on Thursday the 17th against Napoli, but with a clean week ahead, as they do not have to face the Cup. The azulgrana barely won last day in Mendizorroza ( 1-0), but before losing to Athletic and Madrid, they chained six games without losing.
The Espanyol-Athletic of the first round.
GORKA LEIZA (DIARY AS)
Without leaving one, Espanyol will enter another. the of the Sunday, February 20 at the Sánchez Pizjuán against the second-placed team in LaLiga, Sevilla, who will surely have forgotten by then the small bump in results of the last ten days. And that he will be immersed in his tie with Dinamo Zagreb. Not from the Europa League, but from the Champions League hangover, in a round against Juventus, the Villarreal, currently seventh in LaLiga and the opponent with which he will close February the Spanish.
Two points added in this section of the first round Vicente Moreno’s team, capable of drawing against Athletic Club and Villarreal, both at home, and falling against Barcelona – due to a rather debatable penalty and countless wasted chances – and Sevilla, with an unappealable 2-0 in the Sanchez Pizjuan. The situation for now is calm, with relegation to nine points. But Espanyol cannot afford many more consecutive days without winning. A busy February is coming up. curves are coming