RCD Espanyol face a decisive stretch of the season with an urgent need to correct their course after two consecutive defeats. The perico team, sitting 15th with seven points from seven games, lost to Rayo Vallecano (2-1) and Elche (1-3) in a week that has put manager Manolo González under intense scrutiny. The situation is critical, with an average of just 1.0 points per game over the last five matchdays.

Gonzalez himself has not shied away from self-criticism after the debacle against Elche, a match where his side played 84 minutes against ten men. "Appalling. The worst match since I've been at Espanyol," the manager stated. "We are not prepared to defend."

A worrying record

The season's record is concerning, with only two wins in seven matches and a goal difference of ten for and ten against. Striker Roberto Fernández, with six goals in seven appearances, is the offensive beacon, but the defence has looked fragile. The loss to Elche, featuring an own goal from Víctor Chust, highlighted those deficiencies. The squad has had a six-day break to work on necessary changes before resuming training on Monday.

Sporting director Monchi has publicly backed González, trusting in his ability to turn the situation around. The club's ownership, which has been in the hands of Alan Pace since November following the departure of Chen Yangsheng, also supports the coaching staff in this moment of crisis. The squad, with Cabrera and Edu Expósito as key figures, must rediscover its lost solidity.

Youth revaluation

A positive point amidst the storm has been the revaluation of youngsters like Javi Hernández, Roger Hinojo and Marcos Fernández. Their progress is one of the few bright spots in a complex landscape, though the immediate priority is to add points. The upcoming schedule presents an opportunity, with three of the next five opponents being newly promoted teams.

The next fixture is on 9 October against bottom-placed Malaga, in a high-stakes clash at the lower end of the standings. After that come Atlético, Racing, Villarreal and Deportivo. This block of matches will define the immediate future of the project. Fans can follow the team's evolution and check the full squad on the club's site. The objective is clear: leave the crisis behind and start climbing the table before winter makes things even more complicated.

The original report is at La Vanguardia Deportes