Cala: "We couldn't hold the score, we dropped too deep"

Cala admitted Espanyol failed to hold their lead at Racing Santander, dropping deep defensively and conceding late in a defeat that leaves the team struggling for form.

Àlex Cala returned to Espanyol's starting XI at El Sardinero after several matches on the bench, participating in the team's only goal but unable to prevent a defeat. Speaking to DAZN after the match, Cala acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture and Espanyol's inability to manage the scoreline. "We knew it would be a tough match, that they press hard here. We couldn't hold the score, we dropped too deep. A loss that hurts," he said.

Cala was self-critical about the team's overall performance and lack of cohesion. "It's true we're not in our best moment. We're struggling to string together the play, the manager's idea, and that shows on the pitch. Luck isn't on our side either. We have to keep working—we're doing it well, but results aren't coming," he explained.

When asked about points lost late, Cala identified a tactical pattern: "We put that block so low behind. We score a goal and push in that low block and I think that costs us." The comments reflect Espanyol's current struggles as they prepare for a Copa del Rey fixture.