Marcos: "De la Fuente could come and we still wouldn't win like this"

Marcos spoke after Espanyol's Copa del Rey elimination to Sestao River, calling for self-criticism and improved performances ahead of Friday's Villarreal clash.

Espanyol crashed out of the Copa del Rey after losing to Sestao River of the Segunda RFEF, deepening a crisis that has already cost manager Manolo González his job. No club captain faced the media after the defeat; instead, forward Marcos Fernández took responsibility for addressing journalists.

Marcos, who scored Espanyol's goal in the loss, was blunt about the team's struggles. "This is everyone's responsibility," he said. "We can't perform at the level we're showing. We need to look inward." He acknowledged the squad's disappointment but insisted there was time to turn things around, particularly ahead of Friday's match against Villarreal.

When asked about De la Fuente (Spain's national team coach), Marcos was pointed: "De la Fuente could come here and we still wouldn't win like this. It's about self-examination, self-criticism, humility, and from tomorrow working twice as hard to get three points on Friday." He urged his teammates to analyse their individual performances and commit to competing immediately.