César Montes came back from injury in Espanyol’s LaLiga game against Mallorca on Saturday, and a goal-saving tackle in the match's closing minutes has half the city of Barcelona sprung over the Mexican center-back.
Montes goal-saving tackle vs. Mallorca
"Cachorro" returned to the Espanyol XI, played the full 90 minutes and had a goal-saving slide tackle in the closing minutes of the game. Montes showed his recent physical problems won't stop him from getting back to his previous form. This is worthy of chronic replays.
Esta barrida de César Montes, madre mía pic.twitter.com/a0QKfn3XhH
— xjav0 ツ (@xjav0_) February 25, 2023
This anthology tackle helped the Periquitos to their first home win in over a month. They currently stand in 12th position with 27 points and are four points clear of the relegation zone.
Qué ganas tenía de volver… Y qué bonito hacerlo con triunfo ante nuestra afición!!! Gracias por el apoyo durante estos días! pic.twitter.com/9Iwj5zWKHe
— César Montes (@CJasib) February 25, 2023
The game also served as a reunion between the player and Mallorca's Mexican coach Javier Aguirre. Montes was under Aguirre at Monterrey between 2021 and 2022.
La postal del día. Duelos de mexicanos en LaLiga , uno dentro del campo, el otro dirigiendo desde el banquillo. El día de hoy César Montes se llevó la victoria frente a Javier Aguirre. pic.twitter.com/DCBMNO5Qsj
— Julio Rodríguez (@julioordz10) February 25, 2023
Espanyol fans are in love with César Montes
The 26-year-old Mexican is off to a great start in Spain after his transfer to Espanyol in January. Fans are already head-over-heels with the center-back and have shown their approval of his performances by singing his praises on social media.
“The best centre-back at Espanyol in a long time,” “He won’t last long with Espanyol,” “A barbarity of a defender.”
A los que os parecía caro César Montes por 8 Millones, ¿Os sigue pareciendo caro, o ya lo veis un poco más barato? #rcde
— José Antonio Meca (@meca_josea) February 25, 2023
Qué fichajazo el de César Montes, qué barbaridad de central.
— Danny L. Holgado (@dannylholgado) February 25, 2023
De largo, el central mas completo que hemos tenido en los últimos años.
— Alma Blanquiazul (@arbustoarboreo) February 26, 2023
César Montes had a great World Cup in 2022 and was worthy of a European transfer for years — seeing him become such a vital player for a side in LaLiga is a clear example of that.
César Montes vs Mallorca
▹ 64% de pases precisos
▹ 33% de pases largos precisos
▹ 50% de duelos aéreos ganados
▹ 65% de duelos def. ganados
▹ 6 rechaces
▹ 10 recuperaciones
▹ 1 acc. def. como último hombre3 puntos para su equipo. pic.twitter.com/SgEk8Bv6SJ
— Statiskicks (@statiskicks) February 25, 2023
Like fans on social media have claimed, if Cachorro continues putting up class performances in Spain and helps his team avoid relegation at the end of the season, the possibilities of seeing him with a bigger club in the 2023-24 season will definitely increase.
Vamos Cachorro!
