The Catalan centre-back will come face to face with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Llorente-c13671 in Espanyol’s next La Liga fixture with Athletic.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Raul-c30652 Rodriguez will be entrusted with the responsibility of stopping Llorente at San Mames. However, the 24-year-old believes that the Spanish international is not the only player to watch out for in the Los Leones squad.
The Vilassar de Mar-born player praised Llorente for his goal-scoring prowess, but denied that in order to stop Bilbao they will have to shut the towering striker out of the match. He believes that Bilbao have quality in attack and Espanyol will have to
keep a check on all the forwards posing a threat on their goal.
"We're not obsessed with Llorente,” he said. “We know the forwards, but it's true that he has a specific way to play with very high efficiency. Embodies quite the way you play against Athletic. We know their quality and their weapons. And we must be much
attentive."
Athletic are a major hurdle between Los Periquitos’ dreams to qualify for Europe next season. Bilbao based club are 6th in La Liga rankings while the Catalans are one place above them with a two-point advantage.
Despite the match being considered as a decider for European qualification, Rodriguez stated that it is too early to make such a claim. He explained that Espanyol will fight for the three points on offer, but the future does not entirely hinge on the match,
reflecting that there are 17 other matches yet to be played.
"There are three points that can add excitement to the game, but I will not mark the team's future one hundred percent on it. Not give it more importance than they already have."
Continuing on the topic, Raul warned that winning in Basque country will be very difficult as Espanyol have not won a single away game to Bilbao in eleven years.
"It's a very complicated place and they play with great intensity, but with a statistic of this style is even more exciting to go there," he asserted.
Espanyol are level on points with fourth-placed Levante and are placed beneath the Valencia-based club with a poor head-to-head record.
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