Once training and the gym session were over, Laia Ballesté Sciora (Ampolla, 1999) speaks to ARA at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque. The activity is frantic and doesn't stop, but while other La21 academy teams are training, on the grandstand of the pitch the player takes time to reflect on everything she has experienced in recent months and years. "It has been a season in which we achieved the goal of salvation early, but we are an ambitious team and we want to get more points." She doesn't like being in the media or speaking in front of microphones, but she agrees to do the interview. "I'm very reserved, I have to work on the subject of communication," she confesses.

Espanyol can enjoy a double celebration this Sunday. In a matter of two hours, their first teams, both men's and women's, will have their hands full securing their continued presence in the First Division and the F League, respectively, this weekend. Sara Monforte's team visits Athletic Club (12 p.m., Movistar+), while Manolo González's team will head to Butarque (2 p.m., DAZN). Less than a year after returning to the Spanish football elite, both teams are looking to secure their place in the league without suffering more than necessary thanks to the cushion of points they maintain against relegation. Espanyol takes out their calculator: what do they need this weekend?