Fortuño: "The best decision was to stay at Espanyol"

Fortuño reflects on his decision to stay at Espanyol after years as backup, finally getting his chance as starter and securing consecutive clean sheets.

Àngel Fortuño Viñas has become the embodiment of perseverance at RCD Espanyol. After years as backup to Joan Garcia and then Marko Dmitrovic, the Barcelona-born goalkeeper finally got his opportunity to start in Málaga and has not relinquished it, delivering strong performances and recording two consecutive clean sheets.

In an interview during Espanyol's winter training camp at La Vall d'en Bas, Fortuño reflected on his journey. He admitted the thought of leaving—even on loan—had crossed his mind during the long spell without competitive action. "Obviously situations could have happened where I wouldn't be here now," he said.

"But thinking about what has happened, the best decision was to stay." The club rewarded his loyalty by offering him a contract extension through 2030.

Fortuño also discussed adapting to new manager Eder Sarabia's tactical approach, which emphasizes possession and requires goalkeepers to be heavily involved in build-up play. He credited his family, particularly his late grandfather who drove him to training sessions, with sustaining his motivation through the difficult years on the bench.