Manolo González Analyzes The Hard Defeat And The Keys To The Comeback

RCD Espanyol, in the spotlight: Manolo González analyzes the tough defeat and the keys to the comeback

The blue and white coach, self-critical after the 4-1 defeat against Villarreal, points out defensive fragility and lack of intensity as the main obstacles.

The hangover from the defeat suffered by RCD Espanyol against Villarreal (4-1) has left a bitter taste in the blue and white parish. Beyond the protests on social networks, coach Manolo González has appeared to analyze the contest, showing notable self-criticism and pointing out urgent areas of improvement to reverse the negative dynamic.

González, visibly upset, acknowledged that the first half was not as disastrous as the final score might suggest. “The first half is not about going 2-0,” he stated, pointing out that the team had chances to take the lead, but the lack of forcefulness took its toll on them. The key, according to the man from Lugo, was in the second half, where the team “killed us” by attempting a hasty reaction that upset the lines.

“We wanted to get into the game very quickly and it was a mistake. We didn't know how to stop their counterattacks,” confessed Manolo González, who was especially harsh with the defensive performance of his pupils. Fragility and lack of forcefulness were the terms most repeated by the coach, who regretted the team's passivity in key actions.

The defense, in particular, was singled out. “We have been soft in all actions, we have been talking about it for days,” he stated. González insisted that defensive errors are “gifts” to the opponent, especially against a team with Villarreal's talent. The goals conceded, 1-0 and 2-0, were classified as “avoidable”, underlining the need to recover intensity and aggressiveness in the dispute over divided balls.

“Every time they went to a divided ball they went with everything, we have to recover that urgently. If not, we will have real problems,” he warned forcefully. The coach is aware that the difficulty of winning games increases exponentially if defensive solidity is not recovered. “It is very difficult to win games. Goals are very avoidable, either we do this quick reset again or it won't happen to us,” he stressed.

The obsession with clean sheets, a mantra in football, was not seen by González as the direct cause of the goals conceded. “I don't think so, the goals have not been due to this obsession,” he stated. However, he acknowledged that at specific moments, such as 3-0 and 4-0, the team found itself “unbalanced.” The defense, in general, must improve to avoid granting so many opportunities to the rival, even in their own field.

Regarding the referee's performance, Manolo González preferred not to get into controversy, although he did hint at certain doubts. “I would like to give my opinion but I haven't seen them well to be able to tell you. 0-1 seems like a situation that if you whistle for a foul in this action you have to whistle in others,” he declared, although he reiterated his intention not to focus on this aspect.

The coach also addressed the situation of certain players. Regarding Salinas, who has been singled out after the defeat, González defended that the responsibility is group. “I don't like to speak badly about a player, in the third and fourth we haven't been good as a group either. We can't focus on one player for two actions,” he said.

On the other hand, Ngonge's debut was rated positively. “He worked, the people who came out in the second half came out in a complicated context and they worked so that the game didn't go any further. He was good, he is a player who will give us one-on-one level, I hope he adds because we need him,” he said.

The streak of four consecutive defeats is a setback that the blue and white coach does not consider insurmountable, remembering the complexity of last season. “Last season the situation was much more complicated and we got through it. We have to return to this version, we can't ask people for anything. We have to take a step forward,” he concluded, appealing to unity and collective effort to get out of this situation.

The urgency to recover defensive solidity and intensity in the game is Manolo González's main message. RCD Espanyol faces a crucial challenge to right the course and prevent the goal bleeding from becoming a major problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the result of the match between RCD Espanyol and Villarreal?

RCD Espanyol lost against Villarreal with a result of 4-1.

What aspects of the game did Manolo González criticize after the defeat?

Manolo González criticized the defensive fragility, the lack of intensity, the poor management of counters and the passivity in divided actions.

Does the coach consider that the goals conceded were avoidable?

Yes, the coach described the goals, especially the 1-0 and 2-0, as avoidable.

How did you rate Ngonge's debut?

He valued his debut positively, highlighting his work and his potential for one on one.

What message did Manolo González send to the fans and the team?

He appealed to unity, collective effort and to recover the version of the team from last season to get out of the negative streak.

Did the coach focus on the refereeing performance?

No, he preferred not to focus on the refereeing performance, although he did hint at some doubts.

What is RCD Espanyol's current losing streak?

The team has four consecutive losses.

What does the team urgently need to recover according to the coach?

They need to recover the intensity and aggressiveness in the dispute of divided balls.

What is your opinion of the situation in Salinas?

He does not like to speak ill of a player and considers that the responsibility for the goals conceded is a group responsibility.

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