Iraola: “Falcao has a small muscle injury and won’t be able to be here”

Keys to win at Villamarín: “I expect a very good team. Betis is performing at a very high level. It comes from losing the derby, its first defeat after so many positive results. We already know each other well. It is the fourth game we are going to play this season and, in the previous three, we haven’t been able to beat them, although we competed. Obviously, we’re conditioned by the advantage they have on the scoreboard”.

Lightning’s losing streak: “The match between Betis and Cádiz awaits us. In fact, we are going to stay there for four days to face them in the best way. They are very different clashes, but you have to take them as they come. In the end, the Cup has nothing to do with to do with the League and so far the team has played good games and we hope to follow that line and be able to give that surprise”.

Intensity from the start or caution?: “We have to go out and win. Everything that is not that is not worth it. They have that advantage, as happened to them against Zenit. I don’t think any of them will change their way of playing because there is a goal difference. We both know what we played and adjustments will have to be made. As the game goes on, if we have to take risks, we will.”

Motivation: “At that level, it’s not a difficult match to prepare for. Only with the atmosphere that will be in Villamarín and with the real possibility of being able to play the first Cup final in Rayo’s history, you don’t have to put too much pressure on the player. Everyone, whatever percentage, they think we can do it.”

State of Falcao: “He has a small muscle injury and there is no risk option there. We have to wait for it to heal and until then he won’t be able to be with us.”

Message to the fans: “Always of gratitude. Thank you for having accompanied us along the way, in Guijuelo, in the Bergantiños field… We had complex displacements and the people supported us from the beginning. They believed as much as the group that we could do something beautiful. At least, I have felt that way”.

What would it mean to reach the final?: “It’s an incredible illusion. Power, knowing how difficult we have it, being the group that plays a Cup final for the first time in history is a unique opportunity. We have to make the most of the options and when the referee whistles, we don’t we can regret anything. Passing or not will depend 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”.