Espanyol vs Malaga preview - Gonzalez: We've fixed our problems - 7M sport

Espanyol vs Malaga preview - Gonzalez: We've fixed our problems



Posted Saturday, September 20, 2014 by PA

Under-fire Espanyol coach Sergio Gonzalez has insisted his side have learned from their mistakes after picking up just one point from their opening three Primera Division games, and believes things will be different against Malaga on Saturday.

The Catalans are joint bottom of the Primera Division table with Levante and have lost two games on the bounce, inevitably leading to questions about Gonzalez's suitability to the job, his first at the helm of a top flight side.

But the former Espanyol midfielder promised things would improve for Los Pericos on the pitch.

"We've corrected our errors, we've put all them to one side and we're going into the game with Malaga full of confidence," Gonzalez told reporters.

"The players are aware that we aren't reaching the level we do in our training sessions on match days. Everyone believes the game with Malaga will be our turning point, but we'll have to work very hard to make that happen."

Gonzalez also defended his abilities as a coach, insisting he was being unfairly criticised for the club's results.

"I'm young, but I got this job for a reason, because I deserve it," said the 37-year-old, who succeeded Javier Aguirre in the summer.

"I just ask to be treated like a coach that was better known that me would be. I understand that the press have doubts, but it's possible to avoid reading the same questions about the coach every day."

Gonzalez has recalled midfielder Alex Fernandez to the squad and promoted young centre-back Eric Bertrand from the club's B team to the first team side for the visit of Malaga.

Rafael Fuentes also returns after missing last week's 3-1 defeat at Valencia, although Gonzalez admitted the player had not yet fully recovered from injury.

"He's not 100 percent, but he'll contribute strength and work rate, not just on his own, but to the group as a whole," said the coach.

"He's very important to the dressing room."

Malaga's only injury concern is Pablo Perez, who is a doubt with tendinitis, although left-back Arthur Boka still has not returned from international duty with the Ivory Coast and is also expected to miss the trip to Barcelona.



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