Winger Álex Calatrava made his official debut for RCD Espanyol in a 3-0 victory over Levante on the opening weekend of LaLiga EA Sports. According to Estadi Deportivo, the summer signing started the match and played for 72 minutes at the RCDE Stadium.
Espanyol manager Manolo González gave a positive assessment of the new player's performance. "Cala can still give much more and will be more decisive. He was good, but he can give more," the coach stated after the game. González also praised the debut of goalkeeper Roger Hinojo, another summer arrival.
How did Calatrava perform on his debut?
Álex Calatrava was active on the left side of Espanyol's attack. During his time on the pitch, the former Castellón player had two shots, both on target. His involvement was part of the home side's offensive dominance, which ended with 16 shots. Calatrava received a yellow card in the 63rd minute and was substituted for Pol Lozano nine minutes later, when the score was already 2-0.
The win was sealed with a third goal from Dolan, assisted by academy product Rafel Bauzà. This opening victory gives Espanyol three points in the league table, which you can check on our standings page. The team now faces a tough week with visits from major rivals.
What did Manolo González say about Calatrava's role?
The coach not only focused on the present but also projected the winger's future in the team. González highlighted Calatrava's positioning on the field and his compatibility with the injured Javi Puado. "For Javi and Calatrava it is an ideal position. We must try to keep the ball longer," the manager explained, trusting that the new signing will improve his output.
González also stressed the importance of starting the season with a win, especially before facing stronger opponents. Espanyol has a squad with an average age of 26 and several players with international experience, details visible in our squad section.
What does this debut mean for the upcoming fixtures?
The positive impression left by Calatrava could earn him another start in the next match. RCD Espanyol hosts Real Madrid at the RCDE Stadium this coming Saturday in the second league fixture. Madrid will make their competitive debut against the perico side, as their first matchday game was postponed.
Manolo González has already shifted focus to this challenge. "Winning is always important and helps you grow to face matches with more calm. Now we have Madrid and Real Sociedad, which are complicated games," he said. The full schedule for these matches is available in our fixtures section. The manager believes that if the team stays in good form, "we can compete with anyone." The next major test for Calatrava and his teammates arrives in just a few days.
