RCD Espanyol midfielder Pol Lozano recently offered a comprehensive review of the club`s stellar 2025 campaign—a year marked by professional triumph, personal recovery, and a return to the gritty determination expected of the perico faithful. Having anchored the midfield as the team closed the year with five consecutive victories and secured a comfortable position in LaLiga, Lozano assessed the performance with uncompromising technical honesty.
When asked to rate the team’s performance for the year, his reply was instant and pragmatic: “A nine.” While acknowledging the inherent possibility of improvement, Lozano clarified, “It has been an excellent year, but obviously, we still have a margin for betterment, which is why I keep it at a nine.”
The Manolo Effect: Natural Leadership vs. Corporate Communication
A significant portion of Espanyol`s turnaround is attributed by Lozano to the unassuming clarity of coach **Manolo González**. For many observers, González has stabilized a club often prone to turbulence. Lozano explains that the coach’s success isn`t predicated on esoteric tactical formations, but rather on genuine human connection.
“I believe the key, his great virtue, is that he is very natural, sincere, and talks extensively with the player. We like that because, ultimately, he transmits tranquility to us. That naturalness from Manolo was missing for quite a few years, and I think it has given us life.”
Lozano values this direct relationship, even when decisions go against him. He insists that González`s communication is always transparent: “He tells me what he needs to my face, what he doesn’t, what I should be doing. When I don`t play, I know why it is.” He recalls, with a touch of irony, the simple but effective mantra laid out by the manager during the first day of preseason: “We must get used to winning.” A concept apparently novel enough to stick with the squad.
The Campaign of Personal and Collective Redemption
For Lozano, 2025 was more than just a good season; it was a year of profound personal redemption, having overcome a debilitating injury and endured the psychological pain of past relegations. He shares this burden with long-serving players like Cabrera, Calero, and Puado, who have witnessed the club`s dramatic highs and lows.
“Yes, totally. For the players who have suffered so much here, with two relegations… a year like this, which is the best thing that can happen to us, we do not want to let it slip away.”
While discussing future ambitions, Lozano approaches the topic of European qualification with cautious optimism. “I would like to have a good run in the First Division, I would absolutely love to go to Europe, and shake off that bad feeling.” However, he acknowledges the lingering sting of the club`s early Copa del Rey exit: “This year, when we were having a good season in the League, we could have made it unforgettable if we went far in the Copa. But it couldn`t be. Honestly, it`s a shame.”
The Elephant in the Room: Joan García and The Mandate of the People
The interview inevitably addressed one of the more sensitive topics among the Espanyol faithful: the return of Joan García to the RCDE Stadium, wearing the colors of rivals FC Barcelona. Lozano tackled the issue with professional sobriety, distancing himself from the fierce emotion of the stands.
“I don`t know. I can’t speak from the point of view of a fan or anything. Ultimately, we are professionals and that`s it… I don`t know. The people command (El pueblo manda), the players are the ones who participate least in this.”
Despite the professional distance, he admitted the emotional difficulty of the situation: “Obviously, I saw him as a friend; he was here for many years, and we shared a thousand things. It`s tough, but that`s football. I can`t comment much more.”
His maturity on the subject is rooted in personal history. Lozano noted that his best friend, Álex Collado, moved to Barça when they were young, which effectively built a protective layer of perspective. He summarized his philosophical approach: “Everyone is free to do what they want in this life, and that`s it. I am a person who respects everyone.” He concluded with a statement of staunch loyalty: “I am at Espanyol, I have been here my whole life, and that is what matters.”
Cultivating the Future: Lozano`s Dual Role in Grassroots Football
Beyond his responsibilities as a top-flight midfielder, Lozano revealed a significant commitment to local Catalan football development. He is deeply involved in grassroots management, demonstrating a dedication to the local game that transcends his current professional paycheck.
“I handle the comprehensive management of the first team of CF La Roca,” he stated, indicating that he will soon expand this commitment by helping Jaume Bartrés at CF Mollet. This personal project is managed with the same meticulous care as his playing career.
When asked about the promotion chances for CF La Roca, Lozano maintained his characteristic caution, yet offered optimism: “I don`t want to jinx it, but we will certainly be in the fight.”
Looking Ahead: The Promise of 2026
As the interview concluded, Lozano issued a message of sincere appreciation to the RCD Espanyol fanbase. His gratitude focused specifically on their unwavering presence, a crucial element in the team`s rediscovered stability.
“My message is, above all, one of gratitude. Throughout 2025, we have noticed that the stadium has been impeccable, with more than 20,000 people at every match, whether it was a Monday or a Friday.”
Looking ahead to the coming calendar year, Lozano signed off with a promise that echoes the ambition of the entire club: “I am absolutely sure that in May, we will be celebrating something beautiful.”
