Now Athletic are looking for a place in the final of the Copa de la Reina. The rojiblancas will face Real Madrid, second behind Barça in the recently concluded League F. The match starts at 9:00 pm at Butarque, the Leganés ground.
The whites count their two clashes with the rojiblancas in the so-called regularity tournament as victories. Toril, its coach, has players of the quality of Caroline Weir, Feller, Kathellen and Caicedo, among others. His squad also includes Maite Oroz, who has a past with Lezama, and Nahikari, formerly of Real. Iraia Iturrefi, who replaced Oguiza and Azkona for the occasion, is clear who is the favorite in this match.
“Within these last four, Real Madrid start as great favorites for what they have shown in the League. But this is a one-game semifinal and the percentages are a bit more even. Madrid has the team which is full of internationals, but I trust my team. We came here with great enthusiasm to finally put the first Cup in Athletic’s showcase”, declared the rojiblanca coach.
Iraia also clarified that “I see a dressing room that is happy and excited. We are very connected, we have had ups and downs during the season, but we finished the League with a very good feeling and I think we reached the best moment of the season on and off the pitch”.
The coach from Loiutarra also appealed to the Athletic feeling. “There is something very positive and optimistic that in our philosophy we continue to compete and we are in the fight for titles. Winning this lathe will be a reward for the good quarry work that is being done in Lezama and where many people participate and we also want to reward a hobby that year after year shows its loyalty. It would be brutal to give them the Cup”
Attack
Azkona, for his part, pointed out in the official press conference held before the last training session for the rojiblancas, that “the team is excited and we have a good chance to play against Real Madrid and get a place in the final” .
The Navarrese forward also clarified that “it’s a fact that the favorites are Real Madrid and Atlético, but for us it’s an opportunity and I think we have enough weapons to hurt them and we don’t think not to be favorites”.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
