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“There are eleven finals left”
José Gragera asserts that the team will give it everything in the final strait of the season
José Gragera recognises that the victory at Real Zaragoza is a turning point for the team, as they prepare to face CD Tenerife on Saturday.
The 1-0 win at La Romareda last week was the perfect way to start the Manolo González era, and the RCD Espanyol midfielder knows that it will serve as the foundations for to end the LALIGA Hypermotion season strong.
Gragera said, “Everyone is going to play what they have to play. We don’t have to go crazy and we must focus on Tenerife and nothing else. If we are focused on the weekend's game we will get results. We are very enthusiastic with the arrival of Manolo, his work reflects what he has already achieved with the B team.
“In some ways, it is very similar to what Luis García asked of us at the beginning of the season: press, press, win duels, be calm in the opposition half and keep possession”.
Espanyol welcome Tenerife to the Stage Front Stadium this weekend with all eyes on securing another win in the race for automatic promotion. Gragera played the full 90 minutes last time out and will be keen to keep the team’s momentum going.
Gragera explained, “If there have been coaching changes, it will be because the players are also partly to blame for things not going well. But to be honest, it is a very complicated league. Maybe, at first, we thought it would be easier than it really is. I have played in this league for several years and I know that we have to give more”.
He concluded, “There are eleven finals left and they have to be played match by match, but acknowledging that we have a lot at stake. There is no choice but to clench our fists and be aware of the situation we are in. The end goal is very beautiful and we have to pursue it to the end”.