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Martínez: “The next match is always the most important”
RCD Espanyol coach looks ahead to Sunday's match
Diego Martínez spoke in a press conference ahead of the match against Valencia on Sunday.
RCD Espanyol face Gennaro Gattuso’s side at the RCDE Stadium this weekend, looking to secure their first home win of the season. Speaking to the media, the coach spoke of the challenges faced while reinstating that the match is a part of the long-term process.
Martínez said, “The next match is always the most important. It is not a final because the result is not definitive. What we have is an important game in which we must give our maximum performance. I am optimistic with the team.”
Espanyol return from the international break into an important period of the season, with six weeks packed with fixtures before the World Cup next month. They are also back on home soil at the RCDE Stadium, which Martínez is looking forward to.
“I am excited to play in front of our fans in the stadium again, which has been at a high level in all of our home games,” Martinez said. “We want to win and we need these points, but we have to approach it as the whole game against a great opponent.
“It will be extremely difficult and that is the hope we have: to offer our best version and get the three points. We have to do a lot of things well to get the win.”
While acknowledging it will be a tough game against Valencia, there remains optimism and belief from Martinez in his squad, a message which has been echoed from day one.
Martínez said, “We are optimistic and excited about the team and about competing in our stadium at the highest level to try and give the best version of ourselves. I insist on this. From that conviction and commitment we will try to add the three points”.