Real Madrid assistant Coach Aitor Karanka says Los Blancos will not ‘throw’ the Copa del Rey in pursuit of bigger titles.
Madrid travel to Balaidos for the first leg of their last 16 clash with Celta Vigo tomorrow, with Celta announcing this morning that the game is already sold out.
Karanka, who is appearing in place of Coach Jose Mourinho to talk with the media ever more regularly, promised a fully committed Los Blancos.
“I can speak because I’m here at Real Madrid and we have never thrown the Copa del Rey. The coaching staff have given it the highest importance.
“Celta are playing well. At San Mames they played a good match despite losing, so they’re doing well but we want to get a good result to take into the second leg at the Bernabeu.”
The former Merengues defender also touched on Lionel Messi’s breaking of Gerd Muller’s record, and what if any implications that had for his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I told Mourinho after Madrid Barca [October’s 2-2 draw], Cristiano and Messi are feeding off each other. It’s good and important. We’re faced with two players from another planet and we have to enjoy them.”
Lastly Karanka discussed the improvement in Mesut Ozil’s form.
“Mesut scored the winning goal on Saturday, but in the game before that Cristiano was decisive. We are delighted, as we are with any winning goal. The important thing is to have players trained to score goals which give us victories.”
