Sergio Garcia: "Copa del Rey run will not affect Espanyol's form in la Liga"
Espanyol captain Sergio Garcia insists his team remain fully focused on their league campaign despite their impressive run in the Copa del Rey.
The Catalans took a huge step towards reaching the semi-finals of the competition after beating Sevilla 3-1 at home in the first leg of their quarter final tie on Thursday.
They travel to Seville for the return leg next Thursday but Garcia believes the match with Almeria on Sunday is just as vital, as a home victory would take Espanyol 10 points above the Andalusians, who currently occupy the final spot in the relegation zone.
“We’re not going to leave the league to one side,” Garcia told a press conference.
“This is a very important game for us because if we beat them (Almeria), we will leave them far behind us. We have to go looking for a goal from the first minute so we can get what would be three vital points.”
Espanyol will have to make adjustments in defence with Anaitz Arbilla suspended and Eric Bailly still absent at the African Cup of Nations.
Almeria have Thievy Bifouma and Jonathan Zongo absent because of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea, but can recall Michel Macedo after the full-back returned to training following a virus, and top scorer Tomer Hemed has also resumed training after experiencing discomfort in his hamstring.
Almeria narrowly avoided relegation last season and vice-captain Angel Trujillo has urged his team to make a strong start to the second half of the season to compensate for their disappointing campaign so far, in which they have picked up just 16 points.
“Now we are entering the second half of the season we need to improve on our numbers, especially at home,” he told a press conference.
“We have to wipe the salte clean and begin with a victory on Sunday, if possible.”
The centre-back also warned of the danger posed by Garcia and strike partner Felipe Caicedo, who has scored four goals in his last three matches.
“We know these players well, they are different from the rest and we are going to have to be very wary of them because, as they demonstrated at our ground earlier this season, when you least expect it they can turn a game on its head.”
