Los Parakeets take on the challenge of Javier Clemente’s Sporting outfit at Cornella El-Prat and need to win at home to come one step closer to UEFA Europa League qualification.
After a good start to the season, Espanyol find themselves 10th in La Liga rankings, three points adrift of UEFA Europa League qualification berths.
The Catalan outfit take on the challenge of Sporting Gijon in their next Primera Division outing and need to get a good result against the relegation threatened outfit to come closer to realizing their European ambitions.
With a paltry four matches remaining, Los Parakeets can ill afford to lose their footings against El Molinon-based side, a fact http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mauricio-c24899 Pochettino reminded his players ahead of the crunch match-up.
Pochettino was wary of their un-fancied opponents and claimed that they will have to keep them in check to avoid any mishaps.
He added that their rivals have the ability to cause problems and if Espanyol players give them the opportunity to do so, they will rue it when the final whistle is blown. Pochettino pointed out that Sporting need points as much as they need it and hence
cannot let their guard down.
Los Parakeets have seen their form dwindle in the last couple of months, adding a paltry 9 points to their season’s tally from their last 8 matches. In their latest La Liga outing, the Catalan outfit suffered a 3-1 defeat at the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Calderon against
Atletico Madrid.
However, when quizzed about their form of late, the Argentine tactician was quick to dismiss its importance and believes they have to look forward with optimism.
"Sporting are a team that will come here to run, bite and press us. If we are thinking about other things, we will have problems.”
"There is no point in looking back for them, if they want to survive they have to beat us.”
"Our objectives have the same importance and the two of us have the same desire to make it happen.”
"It is a final for us and if we win our hope remains intact, if we don't our European aspirations will be put back in the garage."
The crunch La Liga match is scheduled for April 28 in Catalonia.
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