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García: “The mental aspect is key”
The coach knows what is at stake and remains optimistic for the trip to Valencia
RCD Espanyol coach Luis García is maintaining full optimism in the team for their final two fixtures, starting away to Valencia on Sunday.
The Mágico travel down the coast to the Mestalla this weekend in another relegation six-pointer, with hosts Valencia in the same battle for LaLiga survival. The coach addressed the media at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday, showing the fighting spirit that has embodied this team in the past few weeks and months.
García said, “We have become very strong after these last few weeks. This team has taken many psychological blows, but shown a tremendous mental strength, both at Vallecas [against Rayo Vallecano] and here the other day [against Atlético de Madrid]. We have not let our heads drop and have shown that we believe we can stay up”.
Espanyol travel to Valencia with a full squad, boosted by the return of José Gragera to the matchday squad. It has been an intense schedule with three matches in a matter of a week, preceding the final day of the season when Almería come to the Temple next Sunday.
The coach continued, “The mental aspect is key. We have the right to be wrong, but not to give up. This team embodies the perico DNA: never give up and fight until the last moment. Tomorrow is a day where our mental strength will be key and that is something that we are very good at that.
“We have to attack in an orderly manner. I am only thinking about winning and if we do, the last match could be easier. If we get six points out of six, we have a good chance of achieving our goal and staying up”.
For the final away day of the season, the team will be backed by a strong travelling support from Barcelona and beyond. The away end at Mestalla is sold out, with around 800 pericos expected to be at Sunday’s encounter.
On the travelling fans, García concluded, “Our fans are going to fill Mestalla. The 800 or so pericos travelling tomorrow will encourage us and give us a big boost, and we will definitely feel their support. The 800 will feel like 5,000 and I hope we can all return with the three points”.