It was going to be one of the great protagonists of Espanyol on this thirty-eighth day. First because comes from actively participating in the last six goals of the perico team, either transforming them –four, including his hat-trick against Las Palmas in 13 minutes and 13 seconds– or providing assists –two, last Sunday, against Málaga–, to the point that this Thursday he was designated best player of the month for April in LaLiga Smartbank. And second, because no one escapes that Javi Puado returns to La Romareda, where he acted on loan for most of last season, and where he entered as a promise and left as a professional footballer with all the laws.
But it is that the unexpected loss of Raúl de Tomás, who this Wednesday tested positive for COVID-19, makes the youth squad the great offensive reference of Espanyol. Play at the top, do it starting from the left wing or more centered, it will be the top scorer perico among those available, with 11 goals, plus eight assists. And if the day had already been special for him in any circumstance, due to the reunion with Real Zaragoza, what has made it unique is that Espanyol will rise mathematically to the First Division in the event of a draw or victory. Things of destiny, or not, it can be said that Puado has kept a promotion for almost a year at a La Romareda box office.
After materializing four goals and five assists in 21 games, but above all after having become one of the strongholds of the Blanquillo team since their arrival on loan, in November 2019 due to the long-term injury of Raphael Dwamena, Puado was exactly what happened to Raúl de Tomás: he tested positive for COVID-19 on July 29, 2020, at the gates in that case of the last day and of a promotion promotion that you were unable to participate in.
Real Zaragoza, unable to score a single goal in both games, fell against Elche by José Rojo 'Pacheta', but you will never know what would have happened to the attacker on the field of play. Now life and his own effort have in store for him second opportunity, on the same stage but with another shirt. The one who once temporarily stopped dressing to return as a First-class footballer.