Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi has ramped up the pressure on Athletic Bilbao ahead of the Copa del Rey final by suggesting expectation may be too much for the Basque club.
Discounting the Spanish Super Cup, Bilbao have not won a trophy since a league and cup double in 1984.
Since then they have lost all six finals they have reached, during which time Mallorca won their maiden Copa del Rey in 2003.
“They have more experience in this game but they haven’t won in 40 years and they are favourites – but they have too much pressure. More than us,” Muriqi told Cadena SER.
“We can use it to our advantage and if we start the game well, we will have our chances.
“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.”
Nevertheless, the Kosovo international believes experienced boss Javier Aguirre can make a difference.
“When I look to the sideline and I see Javier Aguirre there, I feel like we have another player,” he added.
“He has that experience and knows how to talk to the referee, how to motivate, how to demotivate. We are lucky to have this coach.”
Bilbao have an experienced coach of their own in Ernesto Valverde, who masterminded a quarter-final win over his former side Barcelona before beating Atletico Madrid to reach the final.
Defender Oscar de Marcos believes the game in Seville is a chance for the team to write their names into the club’s history books.
“I’m thinking about many former team-mates who have been here before,” he told a press conference.
“Some never made it to the final, others got this far, some with me, and we never took that last step.
“They lived through much more challenging situations so that we can enjoy this Copa final.
“We’re all just passing through this club and trying to leave our own legacy.”
Ancelotti hoping Madrid face 'extraordinary' Botafogo in Intercontinental Cup final
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is hoping to meet Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo in the Intercontinental Cup final that takes place in December.
Botafogo beat Atletico Mineiro 3-1 to win their first title in the famous competition, despite seeing Gregore sent off inside 30 seconds for a high tackle on Fausto Vera.
Luiz Henrique and Alex Telles put Botafogo two goals in front before Eduardo Vargas reduced the deficit, only for Junior Santos to seal the win in second-half injury time.
The Intercontinental Cup, which takes place in Qatar at the end of this month, will see the champions of all six confederations square off for a chance to play Madrid in the final.
Botafogo will play CONCACAF champions Pachuca, with the winner of that encounter taking on the African-Asian-Pacific Cup winners, Al Ahly.
Los Blancos are already in the tournament's showpiece on December 18 after beating Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, claiming their 15th title.
"I watched the match (Libertadores final) live and really enjoyed it," Ancelotti told a press conference.
"It was a fantastic atmosphere. I was mesmerised. An incredible first minute of the game, with that incredible flying kick (that earned Gregore a red card).
"Then the team's (Botafogo's) attitude and commitment were extraordinary. They played a fantastic match down to 10 men."
Ancelotti was also happy for Botafogo midfielder Allan, who he managed during his time in charge of Napoli and Everton.
The Italian is hoping for a reunion with his former player, saying: "I'm happy for Allan who won the Libertadores with Botafogo, which is a historic team in Brazilian football.
"For them to be able to finally win the Libertadores for the first time. Yes, I was delighted!
"I know they still have a couple of games to fight for and reach the (Intercontinental Cup) final but yes, it would be great if it's them against us."
But up first for Ancelotti and Madrid is a trip to the San Mames Barria to face Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga.
Madrid recovered from their loss to Liverpool in the Champions League in midweek by beating Getafe 2-0 on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham on target.
That result moved Los Blancos to within a point of rivals Barcelona at the summit of the standings, with the luxury of having a game in hand over their Clasico rivals.
Ancelotti, however, has seen his side suffer several injuries this season, with the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Junior and Eder Militao all missing on Sunday.
But Ancelotti was able to provide a positive injury update on midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who has missed the last four games in all competitions with an ankle injury.
"To have Aurelien back is really important because of his role, so versatile defensively, can play as a centre-back or holding midfielder," added the Italian.
"Also, his height is key for us while defending set pieces, an important aspect of the game in which we have suffered since Eder Militao went down."
Man City thinking about title would be a 'huge mistake', says Guardiola
Pep Guardiola conceded it would be a "big mistake" for Manchester City to think about retaining the Premier League title amid their four-game losing run in the competition.
City were handed their latest defeat by Liverpool on Sunday, losing 2-0 at Anfield to leave them 11 points adrift of Arne Slot's side at the summit of the standings.
The Citizens return to the Etihad on Wednesday to take on Nottingham Forest, who returned to winning ways last weekend with a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Guardiola's men may be in poor form, but they are unbeaten in their past eight league games against Forest, stretching back to a 3-2 loss in the second tier in December 1997.
However, when asked about his side's chances of winning a fifth consecutive Premier League crown, Guardiola remained realistic given recent results.
"After the results in the past to think about a big target would be a big mistake," Guardiola conceded.
"We need to beat a team close to us and take advantage to be closer to the top four. We are not far away from being the second team in the league, but it is all about consistency.
"Liverpool as a team have been magnificent, and you just have to fight and win games. Step by step we have to move forward again."
Despite enduring the longest winless run of his managerial career, Guardiola insisted that he was not feeling the pressure of the surrounding situation.
After winning 18 trophies across his eight full seasons as City boss, he is determined to battle on with the help of the supporters.
"The fans know what these guys have done over the last decade," he added.
"They know we need the support, the players are human beings and will try everything to change the dynamic.
"We just have to play and think about the next one. I don't know another way. I don't feel sorry for myself."
Guardiola did, however, insist that his side would be a lot higher in the table if he had a fully fit squad to choose from.
City have been without several players for much of the campaign, including long-term injury absentee Rodri, who is eyeing a return to action before the season is out.
"With all the squad this season we would be close to our level we reached last season," Guardiola said.
"In January we will talk internally as it depends on the situation we are in at that moment."
It was confirmed by Guardiola on Tuesday that John Stones would miss the visit of Nuno Espirito Santo's side, while Kevin De Bruyne is nearing full fitness.
‘Innocent until proven otherwise’: Gateway Athletics take soft stance in Director's arrest on gun-trafficking charge
Gateway Athletics International has issued a statement expressing confidence in the innocence of its managing director, Shem Alexander, who was arrested in Jamaica on allegations of gun and ammunition trafficking from the United States to Trinidad and Tobago.
Alexander, a well-known figure in Trinidad and Tobago football circles with coaching experience in the T&T Premier Football League (TTPFL) for MIC Matura ReUnited, was detained on November 15 at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. His arrest followed an extradition request by United States authorities.
On November 30, the Jamaica Observer reported that Alexander appeared in a Corporate Area court, where he provided written consent to be extradited to the United States to face trial.
Gateway Athletics addressed the situation in a November 30 statement, revealing that Alexander had stepped aside from his duties to address the allegations.
"Mr Alexander has taken a voluntary leave of (absence) as the managing director at Gateway Athletics in order to focus on treating the allegations before him. Mr Alexander has maintained his innocence in all of the allegations levelled against him and is eager to fully ventilate the issue in the right forum when the time is appropriate,” the statement said.
The organization emphasized the principle of presumed innocence.
“The same natural justice that applies to all also applies to Mr Alexander, that is, the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. There is no further information we can give at this time, but we will update as necessary as information becomes available,” the statement added.
Alexander has been a significant contributor to Trinidad and Tobago's football development. He previously managed St Augustine Secondary's football program and has played a key role in shaping youth football through his leadership at Gateway Athletics.
Under his stewardship, Gateway has overseen the last three editions of the Republic Cup National Youth Football League, one of the nation's most prestigious youth tournaments.
Additionally, Gateway has facilitated showcase events through the Republic Cup, giving young footballers an opportunity to perform before college coaches and scouts from abroad with the goal of earning scholarships.
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