Manolo Jimenez expects a tough test for Real Zaragoza away to Granada on Thursday, but also warns his players of the fans’ expectations.
Zaragoza travel out to Andalucia this midweek for the second leg of their Round of 32 Copa del Rey tie, leading 1-0 from the first leg.
For Jimenez, the pressure of needing to progress to the next round can be felt.
“It is very difficult to win the Cup, because in recent years the big teams have been taking it seriously. It is hard, but it is what our fans demand, for us to have a good Cup run. We lead in this tie and must assert that to progress.
“They will come out with a vengeance, trying to push us back, looking to set pieces and engaging their fans. We have to handle it like professionals and from there build our game, upset them and try to score a goal.”
Los Carmenes is expected to hold a capacity crowd for this Cup clash, something that Jimenez reflected could have an effect on the game.
“We do not have to affect the spirit of the crowd because they do not move the ball. We always talk about the physical side of recovering from game to game, but there is also the psychological and there are players who can be more affected by pressure than others.
“It is an important issue because we come into this game from a defeat, but it is something we have to always assume, because the level we are playing at, we play to win rather than lose, whilst defeats should never come easy.”
