Ahead of Espanyol's crucial match against Real Madrid, their manager Manolo Gonzalez rejected the idea that Barcelona supporters might back his team to help their club clinch the La Liga title.
Gonzalez stated that such considerations are "the last thing on my mind," emphasizing that his priority is for Espanyol to compete well and aim for victory regardless of the wider title implications.
He also showed respect for Barcelona, noting they will achieve success based on their season-long efforts rather than the outcomes of other matches. This attitude clearly separates the sporting competition of Espanyol from the ongoing race for the championship.
Gonzalez's stance indicates that Espanyol treats their game against Real as an independent contest, not a tactical move within the title race. For Barcelona, this underscores the importance of focusing on their own performances and not depending on external factors.
Furthermore, the comment reflects the professionalism of La Liga teams: every club pursues its own objectives, and favorites must rely on their own qualities to secure titles.