Diego Martínez's project begins. Espanyol will play today at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque (6:30 p.m.) the first of their pre-season games against Montpellier, who ranked thirteenth in Ligue 1 last season.
After twelve days of intense work, the plan of the new blue and white coach can begin to be intuited, as well as the signings of this new season can be seen in action. Joselu, Brian Oliván, Vinícius Souza and also goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte (former Montpellier), who despite joining on Thursday is expected to participate in the match.
Those who are not expected to enter the scene are the players who had more days off for different reasons but who decided to join the group yesterday: Álvaro Vadillo, Pol Lozano, Tonny Vilhena and Raúl de Tomás; the first two for having finished the Second Division championship later, while the Dutchman - for which the club has exercised the purchase option after half a year on loan - and the Spanish could have returned later due to their international commitments.
After yesterday's double session, the squad will return to light exercise this morning. Next week Espanyol will head to Marbella, where they will carry out a ten-day stage. The next commitment will be on Friday, July 22, against Las Palmas de García Pimienta. Two more games are also scheduled: against Brighton (July 30) and Napoli (August 6).
The debut in the Santander League will come on August 13 (5:00 p.m.) in Balaídos against Celta.
