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“We are on the right path”
Luis García's side aim for three wins on the bounce away to Villarreal B on Monday
Luis García is quietly confident that the team will keep up their strong run of form, as Espanyol aim to make it three wins from three against Villarreal B on Monday.
A 2-0 win away to Cartagena midweek meant the Mágico ended matchday 9 top of LaLiga Hypermotion, before their third match in the space of a week at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The gaffer has no desire to let the standings get to his head, speaking on Saturday ahead of the Monday night clash.
García said, “We knew then [at the start of the season] and know now the requirement of being at the top. We have very clear ideas, with a very healthy locker room and strong leadership. There is a long way to go and there will be difficult moments, but we are on the right path”.
With the confirmed absences of Keidi Bare, Salvi Sánchez and Antoniu Roca, the positive news is the return of Keita Balde to the matchday squad. The coach said of the forward, “He will give us versatility, but we have to be calm and patient with him. We cannot rush this, and he still has to adapt to a model and a way of playing. He has a lot of desire and we are lucky that he can play in several positions and that, for us, is a blessing".
Asked about opponents Villarreal B – the reserve team of top-flight side Villarreal - García highlighted, “They are a very well organised and high scoring team. It will be a difficult match but a very nice one because of the setting [at the Cerámica]. We hope to get the three points again and keep growing, which is very important.”
Finally, the coached praised his side for their defensive work, off the back of consecutive clean sheets in the league. The míster concluded, “A clean sheet is a testament to our collective performance, not just from the defence but from the entire team. The other day we defended our area very well and I think it is worth highlighting”.