El Hilali: “The victory against Alavés has given us a plus”

Omar El Hilali's growth this season at right-back is one of the main reasons for Espanyol's good form in LaLiga. Always performing at a high level, the man from Hospitalet is undisputed for Manolo González for his defensive security and his contribution to positional play.

The Espanyol full-back appeared at a press conference on Tuesday and commented that the last victory against Alavés (0-1) has given the team “an extra” that will go “very well” for the following matches, starting with this Monday's duel against Villarreal.

I'm at my best, but I don't think about it much" Omar El Hilali Full-back for Espanyol

The Blanquiazul defender, in a press conference after the session at the Ciudad Deportiva Dani Jarque, commented that the Catalan team is in its best moment of the season: “In my opinion, yes. The team has started with a different mentality this year and we hope to continue in this way.”

The player has said that Espanyol is “fully confident” of being able to get another win against Villarreal. “To go into a game and think that we can’t win… That’s not what we turned up for,” he said. The full-back stressed that it is time to “think positively.”

I am not perfect, that is clear, and I hope in the not too distant future to improve what I still have to do.” Omar El Hilali Espanyol player

On a personal level, Omar El Hilali has expressed his satisfaction with his current form: “I am at my best, but I don’t think about that too much. I focus on the day to day. Today I will think about tomorrow and tomorrow, about the next. Football changes very quickly and you have to keep your feet on the ground.”

The 21-year-old footballer has confessed that during this season he has learned “things that I didn’t know” based on “experiences” that force you to grow. “I’m not perfect, that’s clear, and I hope in the not-too-distant future to improve what I still have to do,” the blue and white player reflected.

Spain is not a racist country, although there will surely be a minority of people who do not like people who are not from their country. Omar El Hilali Full-back for Espanyol

Asked about the racist insults that have occurred in recent days, Omar El Hilali said that for him “Spain is not a racist country”, although he regretted certain attitudes: “There will surely be a minority of people who do not like people who are not from their country.”

The player also stressed that Spain welcomes people from outside “very well”. “My family has been and is very comfortable,” he added. The full-back pointed out that he “never” thinks about what is said from the stands as he is very focused on the match.