“We must have personality”
Luis García looks ahead to Saturday's clash with Sporting de Gijón
Luis García believes that his team are already over last week's defeat and are emotionally recovered for the next test.
That test comes in Asturias, as RCD Espanyol travel to Sporting de Gijón for their next LaLiga Hypermotion clash on Saturday evening. The coach insists that the lessons have been learnt from the Leganés loss and, addressing the media on Friday afternoon, was relishing an enticing game ahead.
García said, “We must have personality and manage the match well. We have to be strong defensively, win duels, attack well, be good defensively... I could spend an hour going on like this. I am convinced that we arrive very well prepared. We have had an extraordinary week of work”.
He continued, “The team has recovered without any problem from the defeat because they understand that it is part of the process, that there is no team who does not lose and that we are one game closer to achieve the objective. We are going to fight it to the fullest. I am convinced that we will have great personality at the ground where no one has been able to win.”
Espanyol are two points off the top of the second division going into Saturday’s game, taking on a Sporting side eighth in the league and well within reach of the play-off positions. The Mágico have not won at El Molinón since February 2016, but on the occasion of the Club’s 123rd birthday, will be desperate to return to winning ways.
García explained, “I am anticipating a very nice game, because of the atmosphere and because perhaps, it is different level. We are facing a team that has one of the best squads in terms of versatility. They are a very good team and it will be a very close game, so we will have to do many things well.”
The coach concluded, “All the players are training to their maximum potential. They are all going to be needed throughout the season. But as always, we must be patient because a long road lies ahead. The team is evolving and improving, but there is still room to go. That desire to achieve the end goal cannot rush us nor make us nervous”.