Espanyol Coach Javier Aguirre is aiming to keep Tuesday’s Copa del Rey with Real Madrid alive for the second-leg.
The sides meet first at Cornella-El Prat and Aguirre told a pre-match Press conference that Espanyol cannot allow Madrid a hefty first-leg lead.
“They are the favourites and we must understand this,” the Mexican said.
“We must go to next week’s game with options. Then we can go all out if need be.
“By keeping it alive I mean not having a difference of two or three goals because then the tie is decided.
“We’ll try to stay near them, both on the pitch and the scoreboard.”
Aguirre rejected the suggestion that the Cup meeting will follow a similar pattern to the League game at Cornella-El Prat, which ended in a 1-0 win for Madrid earlier in January.
“That was after Barcelona and Atletico drew,” Aguirre pointed out, citing the stalemate between Madrid’s League rivals as the visitors’ motivation then.
“I think they’ll be less intense this time.
“In a knockout competition it might not go well over 180 minutes.
“But lose a few points in the League and it’s over, with Barca and Atletico there.
“Over two legs we have a good chance.”
Aguirre was also asked how he felt during his four-game touchline ban, and if he would change his behaviour on the sidelines as a result.
“I watched the matches from high in the stand and it looks much better from up there.
“But my behaviour is irrelevant.”
