Andoni Iraola has shown his enthusiasm for the historic confrontation that Rayo Vallecano will experience against Real Betis in the King’s Cup semi-finaldespite the fact that he admits that the Andalusian team has earned being “career favorite” which he wears throughout the season. However, since Vallecas They dream of being able to overcome the tie.
Rayo, who forty years later play a Copa del Rey semi-final again, receive with great enthusiasm a Betis that is proving to be very powerful in the league competition and eliminated Real Sociedad with a landslide in the quarterfinals. “I expect a Betis like the one we have been seeing all season. A team that plays football very well, that wants to subdue the rival, especially in the offensive section, with differential names and ability to score goals. It is a team that has ease in attack and very offensive full-backs”, said Iraolaat the press conference after the evening training.
“They have earned being favorites because of the trajectory they have had throughout the season. But the Copa del Rey is a different competition and in the end there are only four teams left, we are one of them and I am convinced that we will have options and we will also be able to hurt them“And it is that Rayo, despite the fact that this season they have not beaten Pellegrini’s team -a tie at 1 and a defeat-, has given the face in two balanced games“with alternatives for them and us”, commented Iraola.
Regarding his preference to win the first leg or keep a clean sheet for the second leg, Iraola was blunt. “If you give me a choice, i prefer to win. That is so and more so with the change in regulations that they have taken this year. The goal away from home is no longer rewarded so much. Now it’s about winning and scoring more goals than them. It’s not about leaving with a clean sheet”, he admitted. The former Athletic footballer, however, comments that, in case of not winning the first leg, the second leg will remain, in which the tie will be decided.
“The fan can feel something similar to what we feel, which is a bit of nerves, uncertainty, joy for being here and a point of illusion. Although we are aware that we played against a good rival, somehow, with a smaller or larger percentage, we dream of eliminating Betis and I am convinced that the fans feel that way too,” he said.
And it is that Iraola maintains a idyll with the Copa del Reya competition in which he reached the final as an Athletic player -although he didn’t win any- and also to the semifinals as coach of Mirandés two seasons ago. “We have to be what we have been until now, throughout the season, and that the situation cannot. I want to see the same Ray that is being seen so far and if it is thus, you can win or lose, but we will leave satisfied”, concluded the Basque coach.