The draw against Burgos has made the atmosphere a little more tense, if that is possible, both in the locker room and in the Espanyol offices. Yesterday the traditional Christmas meeting with the press took place at the Stage Front Stadium and the messages that emerged were fundamentally ones of reflection. The nervousness within the club due to the poor results is increasing, but there is confidence that the break will serve to begin a new positive dynamic.
Mao Ye, CEO of the club, and Fran Garagarza, sports director, led the institutional representation of the event and took the floor to remind that the objectives remain intact, although they openly acknowledge that the moment is not good. “2023 has been difficult for everyone. We will try to work to celebrate something big next year,” Mao said. For his part, Garagarza was convinced that “the year 2024 is going to be better, for sure.” “I would like to transmit positive energy in these moments that are not what one wants. It is obvious that we are not where we would like to be today, but we will achieve it,” he assured.
On the one hand, there is concern about the state of nervousness that gripped the team on Tuesday and that infected the public – shouts against the board and whistles against the team were heard again – with each failed pass or each conceded goal, but also the poor level of play shown for several days now. This Espanyol must improve in many football aspects, which has gone four days without winning. Luis Miguel Ramis's mission to achieve immediate results with a more pragmatic style than that of Luis García has not, so far, reaped the desired successes.
Work and reflection are urgently needed and there will be no shortage of time for this, since the squad will have almost a month before the league returns. For now, the players will be on Christmas vacation until December 28 and will not compete again until January 6, 2024, 17 days after the game against Burgos. Espanyol will play again in the Hypermotion League on January 13, 24 days later.
