QSF: Osasuna difficult & deceitful

Quique Sanchez Flores has warned Espanyol that “a difficult and deceitful game” awaits them when they host Osasuna on Sunday.

Espanyol have been heavily backed to end their run of defeats against Osasuna, who sit nine points adrift at the bottom of La Liga, but Sanchez Flores admits there is a risk of his players taking the victory for granted.

“We have no reason to believe we are superior to anyone,” the Coach said at a Press conference.

“Humility is a key pillar and we treat all our opponents the same. It’s a difficult and deceitful game. When the win is taken for granted, it never benefits you.

“They’re competing very well, so we’ll have to take care of the details, be superior in 50-50s and play in the opposite half of the pitch.

“We hope to give a formidable response to our fans. We must work hard, be strong and give a brutal effort.

“Gerard and Caicedo up top? They’re players obliged to understand each other, but we expect Felipe [Caicedo] to continue growing. We have faith and there are signs that this can happen.

“Marc Navarro? He’s fine, he was only out for two days. Javi Lopez? He’s gone through a very difficult period, but he’s overcome his injury and beginning to feel good. He’s our captain and a reference. We have great respect for him.

“Our approach against bigger teams? We must be more cautious. We’ve protected ourselves in the games we’ve had to do so.

“We didn’t double up and, in attack, didn’t go as we wanted.”

Espanyol squad: Roberto, Victor Alvarez, Oscar Duarte, Gerard, Reyes, Caicedo, Aaron, Diego Lopez, Jurado, David Lopez, Javi Lopez, Hernan, Fuego, Piatti, Vazquez, Diego Reyes, Roca, Melendo, Navarro

Absences: Victor Sanchez, Baptistao, Diop, Sevilla, Ruben Duarte

Osasuna squad: Sirigu, Mario; David Garcia, Oier, Unai Garcia, Clerc, Vujadinovic; Causic, Roberto Torres, Berenguer, Jaime, Merida, De las Cuevas, Loée; Leon, Riera, Riviere, Kenan

Absences: Tano, Miguel Flano, Javier Flano, Digard, Fausto, Nauzet, Fuentes

Referee: Clos Gomez

Kick-off time: 11:00 GMT/12:00 CET

Tags Quique Sanchez Flores
La Liga - Club News