Copa del Rey debutants would not mind facing Barcelona in the tournament – ‘Hopefully we will get them’

This season, the Copa del Rey will see a brand-new face in the competition, namely, SD Negreira. 

Founded in 1963, the small club competes in Preferente Futgal – Group 1 and play their home matches in a stadium that holds just 2,000 fans. 

Despite their modest size, the team will make their debut in Spain’s premier cup competition, a milestone that has already sparked excitement in the town.

Thanks to the new cup format, which emphasises geographical proximity, Negreira’s first opponent will be drawn from one of four La Liga teams – Celta, Oviedo, Alavés, or Real Sociedad. 

If Negreira can advance through this stage and the next, they could reach the round of 32, where Barcelona have been drawn.

Coach and president keep spirits high

Manager Adrian Vazquez is celebrating his team’s achievement with humour and perspective. 

He is well aware of the speculation about a potential clash with Barcelona and the conversations around it due to the infamous Negreira case. 

SD Negreira hope to play Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

“We’re aware that people want us to play against Barcelona. There’s a bit of banter about all that, but we take it with humour,” Vazquez said. 

The coach also emphasised that just getting the chance to face a top-flight team is an achievement in itself, 

“Playing against a First Division team is already a reward,” he added, before joking about a possible Barcelona draw, 

“Hopefully, we’ll continue and get Barcelona. And if there’s some refereeing controversy to get there, then fine.”

Club president Jose Manuel Rey, meanwhile, offered a more measured view. “I know everything that’s being talked about, but we’re not at that level of competition. 

“Besides, it would take a long time for that to happen. If it happens, we’ll talk about it at the appropriate time,” he said. 

Regarding the name connection, he explained, “Negreira is a fairly common surname in the town. Quite a few people have it,” he explained.

Source: AS