Espanyol vs Cordoba C.F. preview - Gonzalez eyes morale-boosting win
Posted Friday, February 27, 2015 by PA
Espanyol defender Alvaro Gonzalez is hopeful he and his team-mates can begin a very important stretch with victory over Cordoba on Friday.
The Catalan outfit b host Athletic Bilbao next Wednesday looking to progress to the final of the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2006.
Espanyol drew 1-1 in Bilbao in the first leg. Right now, all the focus is on Cordoba.
"This is a very important week for us," Gonzalez said to Spanish newspaper Marca. "We need to focus on Friday's game and then we will have five days to think about Athletic.
"A win on Friday would give us 32 points and the necessary confidence to go into such an important game.
"We need to be very concentrated from start to finish."
Espanyol fell 2-1 at Getafe last time out, their third loss in four league games.
The outcome in Madrid dropped Espanyol to ninth in the Primera Division standings.
"We need to leave that defeat behind us," Gonzalez said. "We didn't play as well as we could have against Getafe.
"But now we must turn the page."
Espanyol, coached by Sergio Gonzalez, welcome back defender Diego Colotto, midfielder Victor Sanchez and striker Sergio Garcia after suspension.
Cordoba travel to Barcelona looking for only their fourth win of the season.
The Andalusian outfit has not tasted victory since January 12 and last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Valencia was Cordoba's fifth straight loss.
Miroslav Djukic's side are at the foot of the standings, five points adrift of safety.
"This game is going to be a final," Cordoba captain Abel Gomez said. "In fact, all our remaining games are going to be finals.
"We are going to Cornella with a winning mentality.
"We know if we do things right, it will be difficult for any team to beat us."
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