Monchi takes charge as Espanyol begin new era

Espanyol and Levante begin a fresh chapter this Thursday at the RCDE Stadium (7 p.m.) carrying very different momentum. The Catalan side arrives after a miserable run of 18 consecutive matches without a win, while Levante finished on a stronger note under Luís Castro's management.

Espanyol's season opener marks the arrival of Monchi as sporting director. The executive has brought in five new signings over the summer to turn around a project badly needing to reverse last season's negative spiral. Coach Manolo González acknowledged yesterday that pre-season results weren't ideal, but insisted the team is prepared to compete from kick-off. Drkusic, the latest signing, is expected to be available for today's squad.

Full house at the stadium

The RCDE Stadium will be packed: the club's season ticket campaign has topped 30,000, showing that Espanyol's fanbase is ready to back this new venture.

Levante travel to Barcelona in tighter financial circumstances. While the sale of Carlos Espí to Real Madrid provided some relief, the Valencia side carries a debt of around €150 million and must stick rigidly to financial fair play rules. That's why they've arrived with just twelve registered players. Yet Luís Castro has a trump card: Marc Santos, a Massanassa academy prospect aged just 15 who impressed in pre-season and could become Levante's youngest ever debutant.