“Surprises in football exist”

“In football there are surprises.” This is how he presents the Cup match against Real Juan Carlos Socorro, technician of the Pulido San Mateo Bakery. “One, unconsciously, thinks that we can win,” he says. “If I did not have the illusion of passing, I would not be sitting here and I would not be able to look the boys in the face,” he finishes his argument. In the opinion of the ex-Canarian footballer, “it would be very great” to bring down the Cup champion in April, “especially for footballers, who many are going to compete with their work clothes on.”

Socorro He is proud to be able to face this confrontation. He knows that the Cup “is made for the big teams” and that “we are a guest”, but warns that “we are going to fight it”. In case the miracle happens, he asks the president for a bonus for the feat, but he doesn’t make any extravagant promises: “I don’t shave because I love my hair, I don’t get a tattoo because I don’t like it, but it will take a walk to my virgin of the Pine”.

Enjoy and compete

The message he has sent to his players has been clear: “I have told them to enjoy it and compete. That you don’t play against a First and Europa League team every day.” They will not lack motivation, although there is also an element that can harm them: “We have enthusiasm and enthusiasm, but also a backpack of nerves that will weigh us down.” He reveals that he has had to stop “the euphoria”, unleashed since the draw came out.

Socorro understands that they are “hurt” by having to play at the Gran Canaria Stadium, due to its size and having natural grass, since theirs, the one in Vega de San Mateo, is made of artificial grass, in which they would have suffered Real.

The match plan is marked by the difference in potential: “If we push up, they’ll kill us,” says the coach of the Gran Canaria team.