Sporting de Gijon vs Espanyol preview - Pochettino targets European berth

Posted Sunday, April 24, 2011 by PA

Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino remains optimistic his side can qualify for Europe despite his side's recent poor form.

Espanyol have picked up just eight points from the last 12 games, having won just two and lost eight of those matches.

That dismal run has seen the Barcelona-based side drop out of the top six, but the Catalans sit just a point behind sixth-placed Sevilla and a win at Sporting Gijon would see Pochettino's men reactivate their European hopes.

"If we win, we could be fifth," Pochettino said.

"If we deserve it, we will be up there at the end of the season and if not, we will be in a comfortable position."

Indeed, Espanyol are more used to fighting against relegation at this point of the season than challenging for a place in Europe.

"We are still in a good position, but we are going to Gijon with the aim of winning because if not, the European objective will be more difficult," he said.

Aldo Duscher, Raul Baena, Ivan de la Pena, Sergio Garcia, David Garcia and Jesus Datolo all miss out through injury.

Sporting have been on good form in the second half of the season, but the Asturian outfit lost 2-1 at off-form Real Sociedad last weekend.

Nevertheless, coach Manuel Preciado was pleased with his side's performance in that match.

"If we play like that, we will achieve our objective (of staying up)," he said.

Preciado was rocked by the death of his father in a road traffic accident earlier this week, but will be in the dugout for the game, in which he is set to receive a warm welcome from fans of both sides.

Sporting are currently in 11th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Nacho Cases returns for the northerners, but Alberto Rivera misses out through suspension.