The “necessary reset” of Espanyol

“We needed a reset”Óscar Melendo said forcefully, so precise on the lawn of La Quinta to give Malaga two assists in the 0-3 goal that it was his to summarize in an idea what the arrival of Vicente Moreno has meant. The squad has hardly changed, but the brains of the players are clean. “It's good to win in preseason, and we want the competition to return. I feel comfortable, I want to give up and help“, completed his speech that of Sant Adrià, protagonist of this preparation (he already scored against Huesca).

Apart from the small player, Vicente Moreno also ended the match with a smile (“we deserved the victory, I'm happy for the boys”) and with a clear message: “We want the team to have that intensity as standard and for us to compete. If we do it every time we wear the blue and white, we will have many options to win. You have to see grit, feeling and the will to win the match “.

Espanyol Shield / Flag

Under that foundation, everything else is built. The first, that balance of the team. The forwards against Málaga were uncovered with three goals, but on a defensive level the team finished with a clean sheet and has only conceded two goals on the ball against rivals. “You have to find a balance between attack and defense. We don't receive goals and he talks about good work at the defensive level. But everyone's. Goals are also everyone's job.”

On the forwards the technician abounded. He not only judges them by the goals, but by that defensive work. Moreno was very insistent during the match, ordering the pressure from the Blue and Whites, asphyxiating the Málaga defenders. “We also assess the work. But the goals give them motivation. It is important that they find them, even against Cádiz in the first half we were better, but they did not enter “.

Finally, and after the settlement of players like Omar El Hilali and Jofre Carreras, who once again had minutes, and also Gori, who this time did not participate, the coach praised Espanyol's grassroots football: “He speaks well of the quarry. It is one of the clubs that nurtures the most players in the first team, and that gives the club feeling and entity.”