Quique Sanchez Flores insists “it’s very important” that Espanyol recorded another clean sheet, albeit in Saturday’s goalless draw with Las Palmas.
Espanyol’s stalemate at Gran Canaria was their third in four games and meant the Catalans had scored just one goal in that time, but Sanchez Flores made it clear getting the basics right was needed before his side could play “extraordinary football”.
“We’ve gone back to not conceding, it’s very important,” the Coach said after the game.
“We faced a team in a great shape. We improved against very good opponents and had four or five chances.
“We’ve grown as a unit. We’ll try to lay the foundations of the team and then try to play extraordinary football, it’s better that way.
“Lack of goals? I’m not worried at all. We had four clear chances to score. When you have opportunities, which is the most difficult thing, then it’s a matter of taking them.
“Baptistao? He came off because he picked up a knock. We thank him for his efforts.
“This team play whoever deserves to play. Any player in any week can come into the XI, sit on the bench or not be called. It’s great news that a young boy of 19 [Aaron Martin] is in the starting XI.
“When the pressure was high, we were more comfortable, but there came a time when they pushed us well.
“We’re healing the wounds from games in which we lost points at the end.
“Alcorcon in the Copa? You have to play everyone. They’re a team that have nothing to lose and play on a small pitch. We’ll respect our opponents and play at our best.”
