Jagoba Arrasate: ‘We couldn't be more excited’.
The RCD Mallorca coach and Antonio Raíllo spoke at a press conference at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
At 19:15 (Saudi local time), the two of RCD Mallorca's stars sat down in the press room before the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup. Antonio Raíllo began by talking about how special the tournament is: ‘I think losing the Cup final is still painful, but we are professionals and we have to look ahead. We are in contention for a title and we have to play against Real Madrid. Being here is a reward for last season.
On what to do to reach the final: ‘The tone of our match in La Liga is the reference for us. We have the ability to hold the ball that can hurt them going forward and the pace that we lacked last year. We know how to find space. It's true that we're loading the box with many more players. That script that we played in the last match in La Liga against Real Madrid is what we'll try to do tomorrow’.
‘I see being in this tournament as a prize, as much for the club as for the players and the fans,’ commented the Mallorca captain.
When asked about Ricardo De Burgos, the head referee for the second semi-final and who sent him off this season, he replied: ‘Nothing to comment, they are professionals. On the day in Vigo you can't say much to the referee. Richi is a spectacular referee, I'm glad he's here because it's also a prize for him’.
Jagoba Arrasate appeared in the press room after the defender and he did so displaying great eagerness: ‘We're in a Super Cup semi-final and it's true that it's difficult to believe. We have all the enthusiasm in the world to play a perfect game’.
‘It's always a pleasure to be with Carlo Ancelotti. I think Madrid are better than they were at the start of the season, that makes them a stronger team for me than two or three months ago’, he said of the Madrid coach and added: ’Ancelotti has always treated me phenomenally and I'm grateful for his words. He is an example for all coaches, but if we can win it tomorrow, so much the better’.
‘Richi is a great referee, he's from Bizkaia like me and I'm sure he'll have a great game tomorrow,’ praised Arrasate of the semi-final referee, Ricardo de Burgos.
The Mallorca coach concluded the press conference by talking about penalties: ‘After training we will work on them, but tomorrow there will be little to do and it will be different. It's something I like to work on but nothing out of the ordinary’.
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