Darder: "We want to end 2021 in the best way possible"

Espanyol midfielder Sergi Darder looked ahead to the club's final game of 2021 -a meeting with Valencia CF at Mestalla on New Year's Eve- and commented on the aims for 2022.

"We haven't had many days rest, and it's practically as if we haven't stopped. We've had two or three days off, and we come into this game with a lot of desire. I think that it's very important to finish off the year well, so that we can enjoy December 31st with our families having rounded off 2021 in the best way possible," he said.

 

"I expect a difficult game. Valencia CF are a team who make things uncomfortable for you at home. Besides having very good players, their base is that they are very intense. We know what awaits us."

 

The squad have been hit by several positive COVID-19 tests during the past week, including five players and two members of the coaching staff. Darder addressed the matter by saying that: "These are situations that we have to live with, just like when there is an injury or an illness. It could have an effect, but it isn't an excuse. We have to adapt. Our job is to go out onto the pitch and win the game -whoever plays."

 

Asked about the second half of the season, Darder responded by saying: "I think that we have had a good first half of the season, and a good year as a whole. I'm self-critical and I will always say that we can do better, but it's been a very good year, with promotion and some important points in the first half of the campaign. Ending 2021 with 26 points would be great for us, and I think that the second half of the season will be very exciting."