Espanyol have returned to La Liga the following season on each of the five occasions they have been relegated, but that is more in doubt than ever this season. Los Pericos look likely to make the play-offs, but could be without their best attack for those crucial games.
Currently Spanish are fourth in Segunda, with a three-point cushion on seventh place and four games remaining, in a full promotion race. After a draw with Sporting Gijon at the weekend, they now sit six points clear of Leganes and Real Valladolid in the automatic promotion places.
If they make the play-offs, it could be a situation where they star forward Martin Braithwaite is not available. The play-offs begin on June 8, with the return semi-final on the 12th, and both legs of the final on the 16th and 23rd. Meanwhile, the Euros kick off on June 14, but managers can call up their players from the third of June.
What if Espanyol are in the play-offs and Martin Braithwaite is called up by Denmark?
“I don't understand what you're talking about, because these things don't exist in my head. We'll go up automatically, and that's it. #rcde pic.twitter.com/pv5tjezPjE
— Football Spain (@footballespana_) May 8, 2024
Braithwaite responded to the question by saying that he was focusing on climbing into the automatic positions, but it seems that Espanyol will be without their goalscorer, and Segunda's goalscorer if that is the case. After going AWOL at the start of the season, and apologizing to the club, Braithwaite has now scored 20 goals in 35 games, also providing two assists.
