Ahead of RCD Espanyol’s Copa del Rey match against Atlético Baleares, manager Manolo González addressed the recent comments and subsequent retraction by Celta coach Claudio Giráldez. While maintaining his respect for his counterpart, González offered a pointed response, stating, “Everyone is responsible for what they say.” He reiterated his pre-match assessment that “Celta is a great team that is getting better and better,” adding, “I won’t change my opinion based on a rival coach’s statements. I am very happy with the game my team played.”
Turning to the upcoming cup tie, González described the match as “very complicated and difficult” but expressed confidence in his squad. “I am convinced the team is prepared to compete at the highest level,” he affirmed. He praised Atlético Baleares, highlighting their recent form and noting they have “one of the best coaches in the group” and a “very good squad.”
González emphasized Espanyol’s commitment to the competition, which marks the 20th anniversary of their last Copa del Rey victory. “A winning mentality has been established. The Cup is important; if we were playing the Super Bowl, I’d say the same thing—we always go out to win,” he declared. “Nobody throws the Cup away anymore. We will give it our all.”
To manage the demanding schedule, González confirmed he will utilize his entire first-team squad, stating his belief in all his players. He also addressed potential future absences, acknowledging that losing Pickel and potentially Omar to the Africa Cup of Nations would be “important losses.” On Javi Puado’s return from injury, he expressed hope for a swift recovery but stressed that “the most important thing is that he returns fully fit.”
The coach attributed the team’s improved ability to close out games to a “more balanced” squad this season, where substitutes can elevate performance. “The players are doing an exceptional job,” he said, noting that the team has earned the respect of its rivals.
Finally, when asked about the Copa del Rey’s geographically-based draw, González suggested it could be improved. While calling the initial concept a “good idea,” he argued that it becomes less effective after the first round and stated he would prefer “a pure, open draw.”
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