The future in our hands

We, the Pericos, have a big event in our lives this Saturday. The future of Espanyol is in our hands; we can contribute much more than just a grain of sand. We are much more than the 12th player. Ignorance may prevent some from understanding us, but that's something we don't care about. I was lucky enough to read the formidable article by Toni Segarra in La Vanguardia , this formidable publicist and philosopher, entitled "Pornography or Mystery." There's a phrase that says: "You can't measure love with numbers; you can only measure it in terms of intensity." That may be a mystery to many, but it isn't to the Pericos.

We'll go to the stadium with fear; relegation is looming dangerously. But we'll do so with more faith than fear. Because rarely can someone experience an event with such intensity. We might think the players have let us down. Or that Manolo González wasn't on target one day. But most of the time, the players have given their all. And the coach has been a breath of fresh air at a club lacking a sense of identity. Most of the time, the coach has managed to instill a playing philosophy that his players have interpreted perfectly.

We will go to the stadium with fear, relegation is looming, but we will do it with more faith than fear.

I've experienced relegation, I've experienced promotion, and above all, I've experienced the generosity of a fan base, both as a player and as a supporter. I assure you that all these events have left a deep mark on my heart. The fans who traveled across Europe by coach after the resounding defeat of losing the UEFA Cup final, the first thing they did upon arriving in Barcelona was go to the Chatarra stadium where we trained. In unison, they began to shout: "What does it matter, what does it matter?" The players entered the locker room, emotional and unable to hold back their tears. I have never felt so ashamed of myself and at the same time so loved and respected.

We're fortunate to be fans who love our club regardless of the results. You don't stop loving a son or daughter more or less just because they fail. We love them because they're our own. My whole family will be living it up on Saturday; we'll suffer, we'll cheer, we'll love. We'll do it as a family of more than 30,000 people, knowing that we'll be key to achieving our goal. We have to act with the responsibility our feelings demand, and where Manolo or the players can't reach, we have to be the ones to lead the way to success.

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As has happened to me before, nostalgic memories will flood back. The Mauri family, who converted me to Periquismo, will reappear in my mind. I'll remember our great captain Diego Orejuela, José María Calzón, María, and the many members who always offered their love despite the disappointments.