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Diego Martínez: "We must be mentally and physically recovered"
The coach speaks ahead of a crunch Catalan derby against Girona
Diego Martínez assured that it is vital focus on recovery ahead of Saturday’s match against Girona.
RCD Espanyol are at the RCDE Stadium for the second time this week for the Catalan derby, kicking off LaLiga in 2023 in front of the blanquiazul fans. Speaking in his pre-match press conference the night before, the coach looked ahead to the weekend’s action and insisted that it would not be plain sailing.
Martínez said, “To have the best team tomorrow, we must be mentally and physically recovered. We will be at home in front of our fans and with a great atmosphere. It’s going to be very difficult against a good opponent with a good record here”.
Though it will be the second consecutive match at the RCDE Stadium, it also marks the last of three matches in the space of a week for Espanyol. Girona are currently sat 12th at the start of matchday 16 and just four points ahead of Martínez’s men.
He added, “We will try to win the match and play with intensity, but it will be a very difficult match and one of many in the league and the cup. The most important thing is to show our best level every match.”
“It’s clear that we can’t think too far ahead and must focus on the present with optimism and confidence. The confidence level of this team is always optimal, regardless of the result”.
This will be the first meeting between Espanyol and Girona in two years, and the first in the top flight in almost four years. Ahead of what is set to be a competitive Catalan derby, the míster concluded with the need to give their best performance and see it as a new challenge.
Martínez said, “We have had very good moments throughout the season, and we must back that up with a good result. The other day [against Celta in the Copa del Rey] we saw a very high level, but that is over. Tomorrow, we must reach our best level again and go again with our fans”.