Marcos Fernández hits hat-trick as Sarabia takes Espanyol bench for first time in Inter d'Escaldes friendly

What happened

Eder Sarabia took charge of Espanyol from the bench for the first time in practical terms during a training match against Inter Club d'Escaldes on Friday midday, according to the Spanish outlet AS. The report said Sarabia had been unable to sit on the bench during the league fixture against Deportivo because of a suspension.

Report details

AS reported that Espanyol won the friendly heavily, with Marcos Fernández scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist. The outlet described the match as a training game and said it offered a glimpse of a clear evolution in Sarabia's ideas.

The report said Sarabia spent the match giving constant instructions and corrections, at times even in English, and was attentive to every detail, including switching positions and covering small divots in the pitch. AS framed the performance as Sarabia acting as a "pastor" in the most literal sense, working to instil his approach during a stay aimed at implanting his style of play and getting to know his new players better.