Back

El Hilali: "We have the maximum motivation for the Copa del Rey game"

The RCD Espanyol player previews Thursday's encounter

RCD Espanyol debut in this season's Copa del Rey on Thursday night, and the squad are taking each game as it comes. That means prioritising the cup contest over Sunday's LaLiga derby against FC Barcelona.

Omar El Hilali spoke before the game against San Tirso, and acknowledged that the knockout competition "is very important and we are going to go out there to win. We have to move on from the last league match and focus on this next commitment."

"We will go there with the maximum motivation to get through this tie. In addition, we are playing at a ground with a lot of history -Riazor- and we know that they are opponents who will try to make it difficult for us. However, we are going there with the will to go through."

He acknowledged that the team have to improve "defensively and offensively" and highlighted that "we are working to arrive in the best shape possible for the two matches this week, although right now we are only thinking about Thursday's game. After that, we will think about Sunday."