RCD Espanyol kick off pre-season with Olot clash
RCD Espanyol face Olot at the Municipal d’Olot (20:00 CET/Esport3) on Saturday in their first pre-season friendly, just under a month before the La Liga opener. Manolo González’s side has been training at the Torremirona Golf&Spa in Navata since Wednesday with double sessions, aiming to build rhythm and avoid injuries ahead of the August 16 showdown with Levante at the RCDE Stadium. The club sits 11th in La Liga with 46 points (12W-10D-16L, recent form DWWLL) and trails leaders Barcelona by 48 points.
What’s at stake in the Olot friendly?
The match against Olot is a chance to blood three summer signings: Àlex Calatrava, Quilindschy Hartman and Gabriel Moscardo. It’s also a chance for returning loanees Javi Hernández, Marcos Fernández, Roger Hinojo and Rafa Bauza to stake their claim under González. The B-team will get minutes too, but the priority is keeping the squad fit.
“We hope to see a good game and, above all, that nobody gets hurt-that’s what we all want in pre-season,” said Manolo González ahead of kickoff.
Olot a familiar foe for the Espanyol staff
González knows Olot well-its setup and project. “It’s a match we’re taking seriously because it’s the first of the lot. And for me it’s special because I’ve always liked the club; going to play there gives me extra motivation,” the Galician manager explained.
The pericos are eager to return to action after months off the pitch. “We’re really looking forward to playing our first match. It’s been a while and we need to find our rhythm,” said Roberto, one of the first-team players.
What comes after the Olot friendly?
Espanyol sees this friendly as the first step toward the Levante opener. The club has scored 43 goals and conceded 55 this season, with a -12 goal difference. The aim is simple: pick up all three points at the RCDE Stadium on August 16 and start the campaign strongly after a 46-point, 11th-place finish last term.
