With exactly fifteen days to go before the start of the season in the Second Division, the renowned Hypermotion League, Espanyol is by no means the team it wants to be. Luis García continues testing, working on improving many aspects of the game and giving opportunities to the young players who are in the Marbella squad, which is coming to an end. Many of them were protagonists of the duel against Al-Wakrah, which Espanyol won with a solitary goal from Ruben Sánchez (1-0).
At this point in the preseason, the main emergencies of the team are located in the offensive field. With the departure of Joselu and the willingness of Braithwaite to follow the same path, and with Puado's injury, Dimata appears as the center forward who should start this season. However, the Belgian player, who scored six goals last season at Nijmegen, is not having any luck in front of goal at the start of the season.
Against Al-Wakrah, fourth-placed in the Qatari league, Dimata had the clearest chances, even forcing a penalty that he himself later missed. Already in the second part he found the post after a powerful shot from the front.
A solitary goal by Rubén Sánchez decided the duel played at the Marbella Football Center. A fantastic combination between the winger and Melamed, the academy player took advantage of it to send the ball into the back of the net with a very precise volley.
Espanyol was superior at all times to a rival that hardly disturbed the blue and white goal. In one of his few arrivals, Fortuño put out a feline hand to deflect what seemed like an inevitable goal for a corner.
With this, Espanyol adds its second victory of the preseason after the one achieved against Las Palmas (1-2). Despite the fact that he still has a lot to improve in terms of goalscoring, the victories serve to continue trusting in the work of Luis García's men
Waiting for new signings and for a player to still be able to leave the team, as is the case with Braithwaite, the Blue and Whites will conclude their pre-season against Utrecht next Saturday (5:00 p.m.). The league debut will be against Albacete on August 13 in Albacete.
