Espanyol is moving away from its goal. The draw against Elche (2-2) and the results of the rest of the teams this day have meant a new blow for Manolo González’s team, currently four points behind second place in the standings, which is currently occupied by Valladolid (64 ).
“A point is shit, although we have to think positively,” said striker Pere Milla in statements to the club after drawing against Elche, a duel that did not end in victory despite winning on two occasions. The Catalan dressing room is aware that they are in the decisive stretch of the season but they are not capable of reversing results that take them away from their goal week after week. There is the option of competing in a promotion play-off, but the parakeet team’s mission is to be among the first two to be promoted without complications.
The calendar faces Espanyol, alternating matches at the Stage Front Stadium and away, against Sporting de Gijón, this Sunday at home, Valladolid, Oviedo, Amorebieta and, finally, against Cartagena. Three duels as a host and two as a visitor in which their margin for error is minimal.
All his rivals have emergencies. Sporting de Gijón, with nine away defeats, occupies seventh place in the standings and does not give up on entering the play-off zone (sixth place). Furthermore, after drawing against Elche, Espanyol wants to send a message of optimism to its fans.
Valladolid, next game, is second in the table and will not want to lose its privileged position. Furthermore, the white and purple team is, along with Burgos, the best local team in the competition (43 points at home) and is shaping up to be a tough challenge for the Catalans.
Oviedo visits Manolo González’s team later. The Asturian team is also at the gates of the play-off zone and will not want to waste its last bullets to get closer to the noble zone of the table. Their away numbers are not brilliant (four wins, six draws and eight losses).
The penultimate matchday of LaLiga Hypermotion calls for Espanyol to travel to the Amorebieta fiefdom. The host, penultimate, is in a critical situation and is fighting to avoid relegation. Their situation is delicate and the parakeets could find themselves with a very complex rival. The outcome comes at the Stage Front Stadium against Cartagena. On paper, this last team does not arrive without clear emergencies since it is in a comfortable position, in the middle table. In any case, securing these three points at home is non-negotiable for the blue and white.
