Vedat Muriqi on Javier Aguirre, penalty shoot-outs and the Copa del Rey final - 'They are planes'

Real Mallorca’s star striker Vedat Muriqi has given an in-depth interview ahead of the Copa del Rey final, as his side prepare for the big match against Athletic Club at La Cartuja in Seville. Muriqi explained that in his mind, having Javier Aguirre is like having an extra player.

Regarding those preparations, Muriqi told Cadena SER that they would be working on their mental approach to the match.

“I think we don’t have to do much physically. Mentally, we’re doing much more. They are important games and you know what can happen to you. All players dream of winning a final. Physically, we are not doing anything special, but mentally, I think that you have to prepare it a little differently. I have experience and I know how I have to handle it. I will handle it like a normal day. Everyone has to prepare themselves, it’s not up to the coach.”

Mallorca have already had several heroics on their way to the final, beating Tenerife in the 120th of minute of extra time, and putting out season revelation Girona 3-2. It was the penalties win over Real Sociedad that will stick in Muriqi’s memory in the semi-finals.

“I won’t forget that game for the rest of my life. When we went to the penalties, the coach had already prepared who was going to take them. He started saying names. After saying them, he asked us to shout each name he was saying with a ‘hey.’ And celebrate. It gave me a feeling of calm and I raised my head to see the Real Sociedad players. And they all looked at us thinking ‘what these guys are celebrating?’ We had already won after that moment. I was very calm because I knew we were going to be in the final, to the point they told me to shut up. The truth is that it is a moment that I will never forget. We were all very