The forbidden dream of Espanyol

“We will go to win the remaining nine games,” announces Sergi Darder. “We are not going to stop,” says Vicente Moreno. “We will fight to finish as high as possible,” insist the players in their appearances. Espanyol’s objective remains as if in a nebula, since permanence is not yet mathematical but virtual, with 36 points with nine games to go. Europe is the forbidden dream, the taboo word. And there is ‘only’ one argument to support that utopia.

reasoning is called Joan Francesc Ferrer ‘Rubi’. Or Borja Iglesias. Or Mario Hermoso. Or Sergi Darder himself. And all the template that exactly three seasons ago –although, between the decline and the pandemic it seems that decades have passed– qualified to play the Europa League through LaLiga. That team, which finished seventh on the last day in such an outburst of joy that there was even an invasion of the field, had at this point fewer points than the current squad. 34 in the 2018-19 season, for the 36 signed today by Vicente Moreno’s men. It should be borne in mind, in any case, that this time the seventh will go to Europe only if the Copa del Rey champion finishes in the top six: Betis have it easy, Valencia not so much.

Just on matchday 29, the one that has served Espanyol now to achieve peace of mind, they then reaped a defeat against Barcelona (2-0), which joined the previous week against Sevilla (0-1) , which left the parakeets fourteenth and nine points from the seventh classified. Currently, they occupy the twelfth position and, curiously, the seventh, which is Villarreal, is at the same distance of nine pointswith 43.

What happened then? Well, almost what Darder ventures, present in that experience. Espanyol did not lose a single game again, which in the remaining nine days reaped five victories –against Girona (1-2), Alavés (2-1), Atlético de Madrid (3-0), Leganés (0-2) and Real Sociedad (2-0)– and four drawsagainst Getafe (1-1), Levantes (2-2), Celta (1-1) and Betis. That is, 19 points out of 27 possible. With 53 units, the same as Athletic Club, they got into continental competitions at the last minute.

Is what is now impossible? It seems that way, although it also seemed that way three years ago. The accounts would appear to be almost infallible, a regularity that has not existed this season – especially at home. But he hadn’t met Rubi either, until that final sprint.

Espanyol has to receive a Celta, Rayo Vallecano, Osasuna and Valencia at RCDE Stadium. and will visit Real Sociedad, Atlético de Madrid, Real Madrid, Alavés and Granada. Some of those rivals most likely do not play anything, point in favor. On the contrary, any puncture would make that dream vanish. That for something is prohibited.