Espanyol Coach Sergio has put the team’s good results down to hard work and the quality of the team.
Having started the season in poor form, Espanyol went into the international break on the back of a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad that moved them to eighth in the table with nine points from their opening seven games.
“You always hope that things will go well and we went into the last break feeling calm,” he told AS.
“Then the team wasn’t as bad as people said and we deserved more points. This break is at a good time for everyone.
“We can rest and enjoy this weekend and then in this week, prepare for Atletico Madrid.
“I’m blessed with an incredible squad. They are realistic, as we saw when they publically said we weren’t as bad before or as good now.
“It’s been shown that we are a good team, the results just needed to reflect that. Improvement can only come through working hard.”
Sergio added that he hopes he can live up to the promises made when he was unveiled as Espanyol Coach – to win, to be liked and to play spectacular football.
“I hope I can fulfil that. Maybe at first I was trying instil too many concepts,” he admitted.
“It’s better to do one or two concepts a week rather than 10. It was the sin of inexperience.
“We talked and the players saw that this was a good way of working. They are the main supporters of my way and without them there’d be nothing.”
He also praised the forward line available – Sergio Garcia, Felipe Caicedo and super-sub Christian Stuani.
“I’m not surprised by Sergio. Having him here is a luxury,” Sergio noted.
“We played together for Catalonia and he’s a landmark player for us. He knows that. Hopefully he can continue at this current level.
“Felipe is getting closer to being fit and it’s not been easy for him. He came with great enthusiasm.
“Christian is a good professional, honest. He has my confidence and he could be starting soon. Whether he starts or not he’s spectacular.”
