Espanyol vs Getafe preview - Marquez wants to kickstart campaign

Posted Thursday, September 22, 2011 by PA

Espanyol midfielder Javi Marquez believes Thursday's clash with Getafe and Sunday's trip to Levante provide his team with the perfect chance to kickstart their Primera Division campaign.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have picked up only three points from three games so far - courtesy of a 2-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao 10 days ago - and went down 2-1 to a stoppage-time decider at Real Zaragoza last weekend.

However, Getafe head to the Estadi Cornella-El Prat with only one point to show for their toils so far and, while Marquez insists there are no easy games in La Liga, he hopes the Barcelona club can add to their visitors' woes.

"These are two good opportunities against opponents like us," the 25-year-old told El Mundo Deportivo.

"[But] we must be clear that nobody gives you anything - we have already seen that with Levante [winning 1-0 at the weekend] against Real Madrid.

"And it will be the same against Getafe, against whom we have had very even games in the past."

He added: "It is too early to draw conclusions. But I say one thing: if this team has to be down and suffering, we must be optimistic and all row in the same direction - the team and the fans."

Pochettino will be without Javi Lopez following his red card at La Romareda, but fellow midfielder Joan Verdu is available again after a thigh injury.

Getafe coach Luis Garcia, meanwhile, has called on his players to raise their game after going down 1-0 at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

"The first half was a disaster with the ball. We lost all the duels and we misplaced passes very readily. They played better than us.

"The players have to give more of themselves. I'm disgusted but we must prepare for Thursday's game."