Pass the round, tie a ticket to the quarterfinals of the Cup and pass, have a balsamic drink to heal wounds and forget the painful league setback against Elche. This is how Espanyol faces its demanding appointment at the Visit Estadi, a head-to-head match to stay alive in the Cup and with quarrels inherited from last year that seem not to have yet expired.
Crossing this level, Espanyol will receive a ticket to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, thus forgetting the painful strength of the last round of La Liga against Elche. This is the purpose of the Spaniard's visit to the Visette Estadi stadium in this game, which is a face-to-face meeting with an old rival, and it seems that the feud between the two sides last season has not passed.
At least for the coach of Mallorca, Luis García, who recalled that his counterpart Vicente Moreno had not shaken his hand after the League match last August where Espanyol bent the knee. A winger who denied the coach perico, who did not hesitate to emphasize that returning to the island is always special for him because of his past on the vermilion bench. And it doesn't stoke the fire.
For Mallorca manager Luis Garcia, it is impossible to forget the experience of folding last season before facing vicente Moreno. Last season, the two sides were rivals in the La Liga for promotion.
Quarrels aside, Espanyol landed on the island with all the players available. The great novelty in the expedition was the entry of Diego López and Darder, who did not play against Elche. Depending on their physical condition (they have barely trained) and what the coach decides, they will have minutes or not. A priori it is more feasible that Darder does play. But Diego's contest is more doubtful, as he has barely exercised and Joan García had been the goalkeeper in the Cup.
The Spaniards took all the players they could play to the Balearic Islands. The biggest news now is that Diego López and Dadel, who have not previously appeared in the game against Elche, are going out with the team this time. Playing depends on the coach's arrangement, but now it seems that substitute goalkeeper Joan Garcia is more likely to play.
What is clear is that Vicente Moreno goes with everything and does not reserve anyone, because the only ones who did not travel were the injured Yangel Herrera and David López. Those targeting starters are Pedrosa and Keidi Bare, who will not play in Cádiz (Liga) due to a penalty.
Vicente Moreno's side played with all their main players, the only two players who missed were Yangel Herrera and David López, and Barre and Pedrosa, who were suspended in the league for yellow cards, could also play in this game.
"We give a lot of value to the Cup and it gives us a lot of enthusiasm. He has brought great moments to the club and we cannot put ourselves in profile. It is a tie that has not been played for a long time and we are facing the possibility of being in quarters, bigger words, "said Vicente Moreno yesterday, motivated.
"We value and aspire to the cup. Here the club used to have brilliant moments. It's a knockout game that hasn't been played in a long time, and we have the possibility of advancing to the quarter-finals. ”
- Vicente Moreno
For Mallorca, the Cup can also be a balm, the necessary springboard to gain morale for the League. He wants to clear the doubts that arose after the three consecutive defeats that have placed him three points away from relegation. Luis García faces the appointment with many casualties. "We have two Covid positives, plus Maffeo, Raíllo and Gref, injured and Baba who is in the African Cup.
For Mallorca, there is also a desire for the cup. The team hopes to end their three-game losing streak. Luis Garcia's side faced many personnel absences in this game, including Mafio, Lailio and Grave, who were infected with pneumonia, and Baba, who participated in the Africa Cup of Nations, who could not play.
ALINEACIONES PROBABLES Both sides are expected to make their debut
Mallorca Mallorca
Leo Roman; Antonio Sánchez, Russo, Gayá, Costa; Llabrés, Ruiz de Galarreta, Salva Sevilla, Dani Rodríguez; Kubo and Abdón Prats.
Leo, Antoine Sanchez, Russo, Gaia, Costa, Abras, Galaretta, Seville, Dani, Jiujianying and Abdon.
Coach: Luis García Plaza
Manager: Luis Garcia
Espanyol Spaniard
Joan Garcia; Óscar Gil, Cabrera, Sergi Gómez, Pedrosa; Keidi Bare, Darder or Morlanes; Embarba, Nico or Melendo, Puado; and De Tomás.
Joan Garcia, Gill, Cabrera, Sergi Gomez, Pedrosa, Barre, Dadel/Moranes, Nbarba, Melamede/Melendo, Puado and De Thomas.
Coach: Vicente Moreno
Manager: Vicente Moreno
Referee: Jaime Latre (Aragonese committee)
Referee: Jaime Rattra (From Aragonese)