The Espanyol mathematically confirmed their relegation to Segunda División after losing to Barcelona on Wednesday, at Camp Nou (1-0), with a solitary goal from Luis Suárez.
The loss of category occurred after 26 years in the elite of Spanish football, a disappointment that had to be absorbed in our country by former goalkeeper Roberto Fernández.
The Gato defended the Espanyol goal in the 1977 - 1979 seasons and left a beautiful memory. "I also watched the match. I like Espanyol because I played there and I grew very fond of them," he recalled this Thursday in a chat with Fútbol a lo Grande on Radio Monumental.
"Making a comparison with Barcelona, it's a small club, but with a lot of people, very good people, and it's a club that is very beloved in Spain. Obviously things were not done well," he added about the management.
"I am very sorry that Espanyol, which has a spectacular stadium built outside of Barcelona, has to play in Segunda División now," said the Paraguayan on his 66th birthday.
VERY CLOSE. At another moment, El Gato revealed that his son, who shares the same name and plays for Botafogo, was also very close to signing with Espanyol in 2018, but the high price of 5,000,000 euros prevented the transfer.
"Junior was about to go to Espanyol two years ago. An economic agreement was not reached, and that's why he didn't go. Botafogo asked for a lot of money, but we worked on it," he pointed out in relation to someone who made his debut at River Plate, but became unforgettable at Cerro Porteño, the Albirroja, and foreign clubs such as Deportivo Cali, Internacional, and Palmeiras, among others.