Vanja Drkušić apologizes to Espanyol fans after defeat leaves club in relegation zone

Espanyol suffered a significant setback in their fight against relegation after losing 2-1 to Racing Santander in a match played in Santander. The defeat has serious consequences for the Barcelona-based club, which has now slipped to 18th place in the standings. This position places them directly in the relegation zone, threatening a drop to La Liga 2 if they cannot recover form.

Following the final whistle, Slovenian international Vanja Drkušić addressed the media in the mixed zone. He expressed surprise and gratitude for the large number of Espanyol fans who traveled to support the team away from home. Drkušić noted that this support provided extra motivation for the players to perform beyond their limits during the difficult fixture.

Despite the effort, Drkušić offered a sincere apology to the supporters for failing to secure all three points. He analyzed the team's performance, stating that while the defense was generally solid, the squad retreated too deeply after scoring their goal. He admitted that this tactical shift occurred for unknown reasons and ultimately contributed to the loss.

Drkušić remained on the pitch until the 95th minute, when he was substituted by Unai Nuñez. Looking ahead, the defender emphasized the need for unity during these challenging times. He expressed confidence that the team would eventually achieve its seasonal goals despite the current difficulties.

The club faces a quick turnaround with upcoming fixtures. Espanyol is scheduled to play against fourth-tier side Sestau in the cup competition on Tuesday. Following that match, the team will travel to face Villarreal in a tough league assignment on Friday.