Real Mallorca fans will be nursing a few sore heads today after securing their spot in the Copa del Rey final, following victory on penalties over Real Sociedad. Mallorca resisted the tide at Anoeta, having drawn 1-1 in normal time, and cleared one off the line during extra time.
Manager Javier Aguirre credited their defending with the victory, and was typically circumspect on their win.
“We were not favourites in this tie, but we were fortunate to take the lead on the scoreboard. We were better than on other occasions in defence and that is why we were able to win.”
He also expressed his gratitude to the fans for welcoming him into the club.
“We (the coaching staff) have been here for two years now, they welcomed us very well and I only have words of gratitude for the fans. We didn’t have the pressure to get into the final, maybe La Real did, and that could have also influenced the result.”
Aguirre praised Sergi Darder‘s attitude too, who arrived in the summer as Mallorca’s most expensive signing ever, but has not been a starter for much of the season.
“He sacrificed many things to return home [to Mallorca]. And today destiny put him there and he deserves it. He has worked so hard, he’s shut his mouth and worked, and has been an example of professionalism, and today he received his award.”
Mallorca were praised for their composure from the spot, but Darder admitted that this wasn’t the case for him, admitting he was ‘still shaking’.
“The coach told me I was taking last and it wasn’t easy because [Alex] Remiro had dived the same side and I didn’t know where to put it. I was s******* it, but it was destiny, and I think it was the day, they were right, because they told me to do it, after a season that was not going well.”
Los Bermellones will play just their fourth Copa del Rey final in their history, and will look to win their second trophy, having been victorious 21 years earlier when inspired by Samuel Eto’o. The final is set to take place on the 6th of April in Seville at La Cartuja, and Mallorca will find out their opponents on Thursday evening, as Athletic Club look to defend a one-goal lead from Atletico Madrid. Mallorca will not be able to relax too much though, with just six points between them and the drop zone.
