BarcelonaDiego Martínez works against the clock to fit the pieces of a puzzle that is missing pieces. The Espanyol squad closed with significant deficiencies after an intense summer, with 10 incoming and 16 outgoing movements, apart from a change to the bench. The shake, however, was insufficient, as recognized by both the coach and the sports area. The frustrated departure of RDT before the close of the market prevented the white-and-blue entity from signing a series of reinforcements that will have to wait until January.
The problem, however, is that Espanyol will have to play eight games until then, starting with the visit to Cadiz this Sunday (4.15 p.m., GOL). An auspicious game – Sergio González’s men have only scored one goal in seven games – for the Spaniards to break the bad dynamic of results. These are five of the capital sins that are condemning the white-and-blue team to suffer in a start to the season in which they have only been able to add five of the 21 contested points.
Unforced errors that cost goals
Seven of the 14 goals conceded, half of them, came after unforced errors or, as they would say in tennis, unforced errors. The two goalkeepers, Lecomte and Álvaro Fernández, have been featured in at least three actions that have cost a goal. The latter, however, seems to remain under the posts despite the rude mistakes against Real Sociedad and Valencia. The central players, with special attention to Cabrera, do not come out well from the analysis either. Espanyol is the third team to have conceded more goals in the League: all rivals, except Athletic Club, have scored two or three goals.
Emotional management of the parties
In six of the seven days, Espanyol has started losing, which has forced it to go to tow. Despite the fact that the team has shown character and has been close to scratching a point in all the matches it has played, the truth is that it has only managed to draw two of the matches it has started losing. In some cases, he has also conceded points in the final stretch: this is the case of Real Madrid (goals in the 88th and 98th) and Valencia (tie in the 96th). In Vigo, however, he signed the tie in the 96th minute. The white-and-blues are the team that have played the most added time in the League: 85 minutes, almost a whole game more.
Lacks offensive precision
With only 21.7% success in crosses, Espanyol is the 14th team in the League in this aspect. It is the fifth most made (147), but also the fourth most missed in absolute terms (115). The absence of specific wingers – the only one in the squad, Lazo, is injured – and the injuries to the full-backs, Pedrosa and Óscar Gil, mean that a finishing specialist like Joselu does not receive good crosses inside the area. Espanyol is also the 16th team in terms of shots on goal (23) and 14th in successful dribbling completed (40). They lack precision and imbalance in attack.
The instability around Darder
“The manager gives me a lot of freedom, I play where I want”, assures Sergi Darder. The truth, however, is that the instability suffered by Espanyol’s midfield, which changes almost completely every season, negatively affects the Balearic’s performance. This year he has a 77.4% pass success rate, his worst record since he was at Espanyol. It is also the year in which he is making the most long passes (4.1 per game). The white-and-blues, in fact, are the team that makes the most long passes (474), the one that misses the most passes in the opposite field (579) and the 13th in possession (42%). This scenario does not favor the Balearic, which has no one to associate with.
No contribution from the bench
Edu Expósito’s goal coming in as a shocker in Balaídos has been the only participation of a substitute in a white-and-blue goal this season. Espanyol is accusing the lack of a bench, especially in the second half, where Diego Martínez cannot find players capable of turning the tide of the game. 12 players have played more than 300 minutes, while 11 do not reach 120, the equivalent of 20%. In addition to the lack of funds in the guarantee cupboard, there are also some injuries and the fact that the coach has to resort to players from the subsidiary out of necessity. Poor planning in the offices takes its toll on the lawn.
