Espanyol Set for Challenging Preseason Clash Against Pau FC
On Tuesday evening, Espanyol gears up for a more demanding test during their preseason preparations as they face off against Pau FC, a side from France’s Ligue 2. The match is set for 19:30 CEST at the Estadi Municipal de Peralada and will be broadcast live on Esport3.
Rising to the Challenge
According to Anna Cordovilla of Mundo Deportivo, this fixture marks a significant step up in difficulty following the pericos’ emphatic 0-3 victory over Olot in their first friendly match of the summer. Pau FC presents a more rigorous examination of Manolo González’s squad, assessing their physical and tactical readiness ahead of the upcoming season.
The encounter with Olot provided González with the opportunity to evaluate every available player, with one notable exception. A group of individuals—José Gragera, Miguel Rubio, José Salinas, Pablo Ramón, and Antoniu Roca—who are expected to depart this summer did not feature, and Cordovilla notes that this trend is likely to continue in tonight’s lineup.
Loanees and New Faces Make Their Case
For the players who did take the field in Olot, the positive signs were unmistakable. Forwards Bauza and Marcos Fernández found the back of the net, while Roger Hinojo and Javi Hernández also left a strong impression, earning praise from the club’s correspondent for their performances. Tonight presents another chance for returning loanees to solidify their claims for a spot in the first team as the new La Liga season approaches.
Attention will also focus on the club’s three signings: Àlex Calatrava, Hartman, and Moscardo. Calatrava, in particular, made an impactful debut at Olot, and the coaching staff will be keen to determine if that performance was a sign of intent or merely a favorable display against a lesser opponent.
A Familiar Face on the Opposing Side
Tonight’s match carries an intriguing subplot, with Pau FC’s winger Giovani Versini, 22, under consideration for Espanyol this summer due to his Ligue 2 exploits. Additionally, Omar Sadik, who is currently on loan at Ceuta, has prior experience with Pau, giving him insight into Versini’s capabilities.
Espanyol’s preseason itinerary continues with a Saturday morning friendly against Sabadell at the Ciudad Deportiva, which has been rescheduled to a 10:30 kick-off rather than the originally planned 20:30. These early-summer matches, traditional for many La Liga clubs, will pave the way for a more intense tour in England towards the end of July and into August, leading up to the pericos’ Liga campaign opener at the RCDE Stadium.
