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García: "It wasn't our best game"

The coach acknowledges the improvements required for the start of the season

RCD Espanyol coach Luis García pulled no punches at the end of the friendly loss to Utrecht FC, making clear that better performances are required when the season gets underway.

“Even though it was only a friendly, it wasn't our best game. We have a lot of room for improvement, especially in our intensity when it comes to battling for the ball. We are in a division in which there are going to be many individual duels, and we have to deal with them with more intensity and desire in order to win those situations; because if we win those duels, we will have more chances."

García has made it clear that the goal in the second minute of play “is not an excuse. Matches start in the opening second. Conceding a goal hinders you in any game. We have to improve and learn, because, although it sounds like a cliché, it is better that it happens now and not on Matchday 1 of the season."

Regarding the absence of Sergi Darder in the starting XI, he explained that "Sergi woke up with a fairly significant back problem and was not in a position to compete."

He also positively assessed Martin Braithwaite's participation, commenting that "it is important because he played every minute."

Finally, he has made it clear that next week in Albacete the real battle begins.

“We have a lot at stake. The three points on the opening weekend of the season are worth the same as those in March. From the first day we have absolutely everything to play for, and we will have to give another kind of performance."