Mallorca’s Javier Aguirre on future and Liga clash with Real Madrid – ‘The Copa was dessert, this is main course’

RCD Mallorca manager Javier Aguirre has remained coy on his future following his side’s Copa del Rey final agony during the penalty shoot-out to Athletic Club. There’s little respite for the Bermellones this weekend, as Real Madrid visit.

Carlo Ancelotti said his side would not be making major rotations for the clash, with many already looking ahead to their Champions League return leg against Manchester City. Aguirre explained that Mallorca could not have had anyone better.

“We couldn’t have had a better opponent because we can’t continue regretting what could have been and wasn’t, we can’t continue thinking about something that has already happened and we can’t continue thinking about it, that night was very cruel and very hard for everyone and now it has been put on hold, this week we have worked well trying to clear our heads although it is more difficult for some than others, of course, but we are physically and mentally well, and we are prepared and it is going to be a nice challenge for us.”

Aguirre asked his side to be organised and show personality, as recounted by Diario AS.

“Here we beat them last season and they beat us there, it is difficult to take the ball away from Madrid, it is difficult to put pressure on them, and it is difficult to play against them one-on-one, it is very complicated, the best way to face it is to be organised and have personality with very clear ideas and not failing when you have the opportunity, I am not going to discover anything new if I say that they are better and favorites, but in our stadium with our people and their support, with the team connected as it has been in recent weeks, I have hope and faith that something good can come out of the game.”

The Mexican manager was also