Espanyol began the La Liga season as a surprising underdog, showcasing remarkable performance with a record of 10 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses before the Christmas break, placing them fifth in the league and just five points off Champions League qualification. However, expectations began to temper as analysts noted signs of overachievement relative to their actual performance metrics. As a result, there was speculation that their success might not hold as the season progressed.

Following the holiday season, Espanyol's fortunes have taken a turn, as they have failed to secure a single victory in their last five matches, recording just one draw and four losses, with a disappointing goal difference of 4-10. The opponents during this stretch have not been particularly strong, with several being among the league's lower-performing teams. This slump raises concerns about the team's ability to maintain their early promise, especially given that they had a relatively favorable schedule leading into this downturn.

As the league heads into the latter part of the season, Espanyol will have to decisively correct their course to remain competitive in the race for European qualification. Their current run of poor form risks not only their league standing but also underscores the pressure on the coaching and management staff to find solutions that will help recover the team’s confidence and performance before it's too late.