Bryan Zaragoza makes first Espanyol start vs Elche

Espanyol travel to Elche tonight with a lineup full of changes after their 2-1 loss at Butarque against Rayo. Two key moments stand out: the debut of academy player José Ángel López and Bryan Zaragoza making his first start for the club in LaLiga.

As Mundo Deportivo reports, Manolo González includes up to five changes from the previous match. One of the reshuffles is José Ángel López, who comes in for the suspended Omar El Hilali. In addition, Bryan Zaragoza goes straight into the starting XI after arriving in last summer’s transfer window.

Debut in the starting XI

The setup for Espanyol is expected to be a 4-2-3-1 with Dmitrovic; José Ángel, Unai Nuñez, Cabrera and Hinojo; Urko and Expósito; Calatrava, Javi Hernández, Bryan Zaragoza and Roberto Fernández. Mundo Deportivo also highlights Roberto Fernández’s current impact: six goals so far in the campaign, alongside a national call-up—he has been included by Luis de la Fuente.

A bottom-of-the-table clash

Elche, meanwhile, arrive struggling in LaLiga EA Sports: they are bottom of the table with just two points from six matches. Mundo Deportivo’s preview lists Dituro; Valera, Sangaré, Redondo, Chust and Revivo; Villar and Morcillo; Lemar, Cepeda and Fer Niño as the side to face Espanyol.