ESPANYOL NEWS

Brian Olivan - Assists with lone chance created Olivan had an assist with his lone chance created while crossing twice inaccurately during Thursday's match against Villarreal.

Impact Olivan set up Jofre Carreras in first half stoppage time to help open the scoring in the match before subbing off in the 73rd minute. Olivan made his first start in September during the match with the assist being his first goal involvement of the season.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Javi Puado - Takes two shots in loss Puado had two shots (zero on goal) in Saturday's 4-1 loss against Real Madrid.

Impact Puado couldn't repeat the hat-trick he bagged in the 3-2 win over Alaves in his previous league match, but he still represented a threat to the opposing defensive line. Puado should have a more favorable matchup to bolster his goalscoring account when facing Villarreal on Thursday.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Jofre Carreras - Takes three shots in huge loss Carreras registered three shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 4-1 loss versus Real Madrid.

Impact Carreras was one of Espanyol's most dangerous players in this lopsided defeat against Real Madrid, and the three shots represented a season-high mark for him. Carreras has yet to find the back of the net this season and only has one assist to this name, but he should remain in the XI and could find opportunities to make an impact in the final third against Villarreal on Thursday.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Joan Garcia - Gives up four goals Saturday Garcia registered 10 saves and allowed four goals in Saturday's 4-1 loss versus Real Madrid. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 74th minute.

Impact Sure, one can look at the box score and say Garcia struggled after conceding four goals at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the fact he also made 10 saves suggests the scoreline could've been much bigger hadn't it been for the young goalkeeper. Garcia will aim to bounce back in a more favorable matchup against Villarreal on Thursday.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Super sub Vinícius leads Real Madrid comeback win over Espanyol

Vinícius Júnior has set up one goal and scored another as Real Madrid topped a tenacious Espanyol 4-1 in the Spanish league

SEPTEMBER 21 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fernando Calero - On bench Saturday Calero (ankle) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Real Madrid.

Impact Calero has returned from his ankle issues, ending a one-match absence. The defender had started in the two matches before his injury, so he will look to find the starting XI in their next match after getting time to test his legs against Real Madrid.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Joan Garcia - Concedes twice in win Saturday Garcia registered four saves and allowed two goals in Saturday's 3-2 win over Deportivo Alaves.

Impact It's hard to blame Garcia for any of the two goals he conceded, as both were headers from close range, though he could've done a bit more in the sequence that led to Tomas Conechny's strike. Garcia has conceded at least one goal in four of his five starts this season, so he shouldn't have a lot of upside for his next match at Real Madrid on Sep. 21.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Javi Puado - Nets hat-trick in win Saturday Puado scored three goals to go with three shots (three on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Puado was the undisputed star of the match after bagging all three goals for Espanyol. He tapped a low cross from close range to open the scoring in the 21st minute, and then, he doubled his tally with a header in the 56th minute -- both goals came following assists from Alvaro Tejero. Puado would complete the hat-trick with a penalty in the 63rd minute. He couldn't score in any of his previous appearances in the current league campaign, but he finally responded to this status of being the team's main reference upfront.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Tejero - Credited with two assists Saturday Tejero assisted twice to go with one shot (one on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and four chances created in Saturday's 3-2 victory against Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Tejero set up two of Javi Puado's goals and played a key role in the win with his attacking involvement. In the first half, he delivered a low cross that Puado tapped home to open Espanyol's scoring, and then he assisted on the second goal with a perfect cross that the same forward nodded home. Tejero has two assists in three starts, and he should remain in the starting lineup going forward.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Alejo Veliz - Limited impact in win Veliz generated one shot (zero on goal) in Saturday's 3-2 win against Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Veliz came close to scoring in the early stages of the first half with a header that went wide, but he didn't do much the rest of the way. The striker is still adjusting to the pace of European soccer, though, but he should be able to remain in the lineup for the Saturday matchup at Real Madrid.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Leandro Cabrera - Starting once more Cabrera (leg) is in the starting XI for Saturday's clash with Alaves.

Impact Cabrera is back in the starting XI after suffering a leg injury before the international break. The defender didn't end up missing any time due to the break and is now fully fit and ready to go.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Mauricio Pochettino all-time XI: Messi, Kane headline new USMNT coach's former players

Let's take a look at the all-time starting XI of Pochettino's coaching career using statistics from each player's time playing under him.

SEPTEMBER 11

Fernando Calero - Suffers ankle sprain Calero has been diagnosed with a right ankle sprain, the team announced Monday.

Impact Calero was subbed off in the final stages of Saturday's 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano while looking in pain, and the tests revealed the injury. This puts a heavy question mark over his availability for the Sep. 14 matchup against Alaves, as he'd been a starter at center-back in Espanyol's last two matches. The fact that Leandro Cabrera (leg) is also dealing with an injury puts Espanyol in a huge problem when it comes to their defensive depth.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Gomez - Subbed on against Vallecano Gomez recorded one clearance in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Gomez replaced Calero in the 90th minute and had minimal involvement, registering just one touch with a clearance. After starting the first game of the season, he has been demoted to the bench, making brief appearances as a substitute in the last two matches.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Walid Cheddira - Assists off the bench against Vallecano Cheddira assisted once to go with zero corners and two chances created in Saturday's 2-1 win versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Cheddira replaced Javi Puado in the 71st minute and made an impact, setting up the 96th-minute winner for Alejo Veliz. Despite taking only eight touches, Cheddira managed to create two chances, showcasing his effectiveness in a brief but brilliant cameo. Having come off the bench twice this season, he will be aiming to secure more minutes during his loan spell from Napoli.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Jofre Carreras - Assists against Vallecano Carreras assisted once to go with two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Carreras provided the assist for Carlos Romero's equalizer in the eighth minute. Despite limited involvement with just six passes, he also contributed defensively with a clearance. Carreras has featured in all four games this season and this marked his first goal involvement. Last season in the second division, he tallied three goals and four assists in 35 appearances, and will aim to build on those numbers in the top tier.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Carlos Romero - Scores against Vallecano Romero scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), three crosses (two accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 2-1 win versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Romero scored the equalizer in the eighth minute, assisted by Jofre Carreras. He delivered a comprehensive performance, creating four chances, completing a dribble and contributing defensively with three tackles, three clearances, and an interception. Having started all four games this season, this was his first goal in an Espanyol shirt, and he will be eager to build on this performance during his loan spell.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Alejo Veliz - Nets winner against Vallecano Veliz scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 97th minute.

Impact Veliz clinched the winner in the 96th minute with a brilliant finish, assisted by Walid Cheddira. In addition to his goal, Veliz contributed defensively with two clearances. Having started all four games this season, this was his first goal, and he will be looking to improve his numbers throughout his loan spell.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Joan Garcia Pons - Concedes one against Vallecano Garcia made four saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Garcia made four saves and two clearances but conceded an early goal to Alvaro Garcia. He has started all four games this season, accumulating 13 saves, including a brilliant clean sheet against Atletico Madrid last week. Up next, he faces Alaves.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Aguado - Two shots in draw Aguado had two shots (zero on goal) and two crosses (zero accurate) in Wednesday's 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Aguado had two shot attempts but could not make a difference in the end, as he has yet to record a shot on target through three games played this season. He also came up with no result on two cross attempts and after landing three accurate crosses in his season debut, he has failed to land one on target in the last two outings. From a defensive perspective, this marked Aguado's first game of the year without a tackle won, or attempted. He also picked up his first interception.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Tejero - Sends seven crosses in draw Tejero registered one shot (zero on goal), seven crosses (two accurate) and two corners in Wednesday's 0-0 draw versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact Tejero sent a season-high seven crosses and tied his high of two accurate crosses, achieved one other time among three games played. Tejero is now up to a total of 14 crosses and five accurate crosses on the season. He is also up to three chances created over three games played.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Omar El Hilali - Solid defensive showing El Hilali generated two tackles (two won) and three clearances in Wednesday's 0-0 draw versus Atletico Madrid. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 82nd minute.

Impact El Hilali has logged at least one tackle won in of his squad's three games this season. He is also up to a total of 10 clearances and 93 passes completed. This marked the second time in the three matches that he played a full 90 minutes, while this also marked his first outing of the year without a cross attempted.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Joan Garcia Pons - Seven saves in 0-0 draw Garcia recorded seven saves and allowed zero goals in Wednesday's 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid.

Impact After making just two saves in total through the first two games of the season, Garcia came up huge with a whopping seven saves to help his side hold on for the draw. He was challenged early in the match, making his first save in the sixth minute of play and three more before halftime. He had to stay focused the whole way, as his final save came in the fifth minute of second half extra time. Up next for Espanyol is a meeting with Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Naci Unuvar - Moves to Espanyol Unuvar has joined Espanyol on a season-long loan deal from Ajax, his new club announced Thursday.

Impact Unuvar has left Ajax on loan for the third time in as many years, as he previously played for FC Twente and Trabzonspor. Unuvar will add depth to Espanyol's attacking line due to his ability to play on both flanks as a winger.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE