Football Season Guide

The past campaign was a strange one for Espanyol as they managed to reach salvation in the end, but only following a two-faced season. In fact, they eventually finished in the 11th spot, 4 points above the bottom 3, but at some point things could have taken a different route. In fact, after a bright beginning, they closed the year 2025 on the 5th rung of the ladder and they seemed to be heading towards an unexpected European spot. 2026, though, brought them back to reality as they literally stopped winning. Between weeks 18 and 35, they kept constantly falling, dropping too dangerously close to the relegation zone and only avoided troubles thanks to an unbeaten final streak (W2 D1). The reasons for such a second half of the season can be found in a limited squad and in a defensive fragility that brought them to concede 55 times, they kept only 3 clean sheets in 2026 compared to the 7 obtained beforehand. Offensively, they were also not particularly effective, scoring 43 goals only. Over the summer coach Manolo Fernandez, at his third full season in charge, saw his defence partly renewed. Positive Starting left-back Carlos Romero returned to his parent club while Hartman arrived on loan from Burnley after a forgettable season. At centre-back, they let Calero go and Pablo Ramon returned from a successful loan at Racing Santander. The midfield lost 2 back-ups in Terrats and Pickel while they welcomed 20-year-old Moscardo, on loan from Paris Saint Germain, who did well at Braga last season. Then, offensively, two back-up wingers, Ngonge and Roca, returned to their parent clubs while Espanyol made their major investment signing attacking midfielder Calatrava, who was impressive in Castellon’s unlucky fight for promotion last campaign with 14 goals and 8 assists, but at 26 has no Liga experience. With their key striker Kike now 35, unless they make another worthy signing, Marcos Fernandez could also play some role, after returning from a stint at Ceuta.