The coach confirms the loss of Radamel Falcao
MADRID, 2 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of Rayo Vallecano, Andoni Iraola, acknowledged this Wednesday that they are facing the “unique opportunity” to play for the first time in the club’s history to play a Copa del Rey final, so he believes that the second leg of the semifinals against Betis is not a “difficult match to prepare” on a motivational level, because “all the players believe” that they can come back, while confirming the absence of Radamel Falcao.
“On a motivational level, it is not a difficult game to prepare for. Only with the atmosphere that is going to be at Villamarín, with the real possibility that exists of being able to play the first Cup final in the history of Rayo Vallecano, you do not have to squeeze the Everyone, knowing that it is very difficult and that something very complex has to be done, everyone, in whatever percentage, believes that we can achieve it”, expressed Iraola in the preview of this Thursday’s match (9:00 p.m.) against the Verdiblancos.
The coach insisted that they have to “go out to win”, because “everything that is not that” is not worth it. “They have that advantage, like what happened to them in the Zenit game. I don’t think any of them will change their way of playing because there is a goal difference. We both know what we’re playing for, and adjustments will have to be made. As the game progresses If we have to take risks, we will have to do it,” he analyzed.
Iraola believes that this match will generate “incredible motivation” for the club and its fans. “Being able, knowing how difficult it is, to be the group that plays for the first time in the history of Rayo Vallecano in a Copa del Rey final is a unique opportunity for all of us at the Club. We have to make the most of the options we have to the maximum, that when the referee whistles we can not regret anything”, he asked.
“Whether we pass or not will depend on our success and our rival’s mistakes, on many things, but that we give everything we have and that is the only thing that when the referee whistles we cannot reproach ourselves,” he added.
“WE TRUST IN HAVING OPTIONS TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THE SURPRISE”
The coach of the Madrid neighborhood team expects a “very good” Betis, who “is performing at a very high level.” “We know each other well, it’s the fourth game we’re going to play this season. In the previous three, we haven’t been able to beat them. I think we competed in the other three games, one of them we tied and the others we lost by the minimum Although, obviously, we are conditioned by the advantage they have on the scoreboard and that they won in the first leg”, he lamented.
In addition, a victory at the Benito Villamarín could put an end to the bad dynamics of the team, which has five consecutive defeats. “Both the Betis game and the Cádiz game await us. They are very different games, but you have to take them as they come. In the end, the Cup has nothing to do with the League, so far the team has played good games and We hope to follow that good line in the Cup, give very high performance to have options to be able to surprise”, he wished.
But Iraola will not be able to count on Radamel Falcao due to injury. “He has a ‘little’ muscle injury and there is no option to risk it. The muscle issue has to wait for it to heal and until then he won’t be able to be with us,” he said.
Finally, the technician wanted to refer to the fans, to send them a message of “gratitude”. “Thank you for having accompanied us along the way. I’m remembering Guijuelo, the Bergantiños field… We had complex trips and people supporting us from the beginning. They believed as much as the group of players that we could do something very nice in the Cup , or at least I have felt that way from within and we are delighted to have the option of being able to play a Cup final”, he concluded.