Elche boss Fran Escriba says he would prefer a positive result in the Copa del Rey rather than the feeling his team had played well and lost.
The 49-year-old’s side take on Real Valladolid in a second-leg tie at the Martinez Valero on Thursday, the first leg having ended goalless, and Escriba feels his players are eager to compete after the 1-0 defeat to Deportivo la Coruna in their last La Liga outing.
“When it comes to the Cup you want to go through so I prefer positive results over anything else,” he told a Press conference.
“I always believe the next game can be a turning point and a positive result would strengthen us, because right now we are in need of any kind of reinforcement.
“We are looking forward to winning and coming up against the opponent that awaits us [Barcelona].”
Escriba is predicting a tight encounter against Valladolid, with the three matches against La Pucela last season – two in the League and one in the Cup – all ending in draws.
Even so, despite Valladolid having suffered relegation last term he does not consider Elche favourites.
“They have a good team and the 0-0 result they are bringing with them is not bad. I don’t feel as if we are favourites because games between teams from the Segunda and Primera are always very tight,” explained Escriba, who said he is not overly alarmed at his team being bottom of the League at this stage of the season.
“We have potential and this year there is hardly any difference in points between sides near the bottom.
“I am confident that we’ll soon achieve two or three good results to allow us to get out of trouble.
“We share the fans’ concerns but the feeling in the dressing room is that we will be able to do it, whether or not we bring players in.
“Other clubs like Almeria and Rayo Vallecano have turned things around after being in our situation.”
