The ghost of relegation returns to haunt Espanyol

BarcelonaFour months ago, the parakeet fans were very happy. It should be remembered that last season the 'periquitos' did not secure their permanence until the last half hour of the league

, in a final matchday against Las Palmas full of nerves and tension. The recurring errors and defensive fragility of a team that was solid at the end of 2025 are the main causes of the current Espanyol's poor dynamic, which has also been affected by some refereeing decisions. some refereeing decisions

Be that as it may, it is the second worst team of the year in the five major European leagues. Only Metz, bottom of the table in France, has scored fewer than the white-and-blues this 2026. Between this and the fact that staying up is more expensive than ever – it has been 18 years since, at this point in the calendar, the first team in a relegation spot had so few points (32) – fear has settled in the hearts of the periquitos fans, aware that perhaps 42 points will not be enough to stay up. In 2008, Zaragoza were relegated with these point records.

The coach is untouchable

“Manolo González has all our support and trust”, said Leandro Cabrera, one of the team captains, a few days ago. Kike García and Edu Expósito, two heavyweights in the locker room, have also spoken out in the same direction recently. The club's ownership is also clear: the coach is not to be touched. In fact, Alan Pace does not usually sack his coaches even when things are going badly.

At Burnley, the club he has managed since the end of 2020, he has only dismissed one coach, Sean Dyche, and that was for non-sporting reasons. Currently, the English team, which has gone 16 consecutive matchdays without winning, is virtually relegated, but even so, Pace maintains his confidence in Scott Parker, the coach who got them promoted to the Premier League a year ago. At Espanyol, Manolo González will automatically renew until June 2027 when he secures permanence.

In the Periquito locker room, they know that to achieve this it is urgent to win again, and they have marked the next two matches in red: this Thursday against Rayo Vallecano away and next Monday at home against Llevant. These are two direct rivals, below them in the standings, who will determine the immediate future of the white-and-blues and the level of suffering of their supporters from now until the end of the season; from next Tuesday, the calendar becomes more difficult again for Espanyol, who will host Real Madrid on Sunday, May 3rd.

A special t-shirt for Saint George's Day

“We know that if we win, people will forget what has happened. It is a match that can change the moment for the club and for the fans”, said Tyrhys Dolan about this Thursday’s clash at Vallecas. It is being played on Saint George’s Day, which is why Espanyol will wear a limited edition of their third kit. Just below the senyera, which the periquito club wears on the front of the shirt for the first season in history, it will carry a Saint George’s Day rose that the periquitos are confident will work as a talisman to win the first match of 2026 and ward off the ghost of relegation from Cornellà-El Prat.