Player’s opinions about the Copa draw

The Athletic Club players have highlighted the difficulty in playing against
Real Madrid. However, they insist that their first priority is the league encounter against Valencia. Here are some of their comments.

Joseba Etxeberria: Real Madrid are going through a rough patch but they still have great players. We have placed a lot of hope in the Copa. We’re going to win.

Fran Yeste: We have got one of the most difficult matches of the draw. However, we have a lot of hopes in the Copa and we’ll give it all we got.

Luis Prieto: Our rival is a tough nut to crack but they aren’t over confident either.

Unai Expósito: In a Copa match between two teams that play in the same division, there isn’t a favourite. Either team can win.

Felipe Guréndez: Tough opponent but we still have hopes in the Copa competition, and you never know what might happen.

Ander Murillo: Keeping in mind the importance of the match against Valencia, I think it will be a difficult eliminatory encounter.

Carlos Gurpegi: A difficult elimination round but quite exciting if we consider the history of both teams.

Mikel Dañobeitia: Difficult, although being able to play against Real Madrid will make the round even more appealing.

Julen Guerrero: A lot will be expected of us at the start of 2006. We hope to get a better result against Real Madrid than the one we got in the 2002 semi-final.

Fernando Llorente: It’s very complicated and perhaps it’s the most interesting elimination round out of all of them.