Omar El Hilali says Espanyol must win by any means

“We have to win by any means”: Omar El Hilali has acknowledged the urgency after Espanyol’s 1-3 defeat to Elche. The right-back also reiterated the dressing room’s support for his coach, who is facing particularly strong criticism.

At 23, El Hilali has made 130 official appearances for RCD Espanyol, having made his first-team debut in April 2021. Speaking at a press conference also attended by Manolo González, he joked about his time with the senior side: “I’ve been in the first team for many years, but I don’t make many decisions.”

The defender backed his coach’s work, praising his ability to manage the dressing room. “If so many players say it, there must be a reason. We’re by his side; we support him,” he said.

El Hilali also stressed the group’s unity. After a three-week break amid a tense atmosphere, he said the players had remained behind the project and the coach. “This is the best dressing room I’ve had,” he said, adding that the team was eager to turn things around. In his view, one win can change everything.

The loss to Elche made his comments particularly significant: Espanyol’s coach is under more pressure than ever after that result. El Hilali acknowledged that a win before the break would have left the team wanting to keep its momentum. After a defeat, he explained, time away can instead help players “clear their heads”, correct their mistakes and be self-critical. His conclusion was clear: “There’s nothing else to do but win. We have to win by any means.”