Butragueño: "We're looking forward to the tie and eager to reach the final"
"The return leg at the Bernabéu is an advantage if we manage to get a good away result", explained the director of Institutional Relations after the Copa del Rey draw.
Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid director of institutional relations, analysed the draw for the Copa del Rey semi-finals, which will see the Whites face Real Sociedad: "All three opponents were very dangerous. One thing we have to bear in mind is that the second leg is at the Bernabéu. In theory, that's an advantage, especially if we're able to get a good result in the first leg."
"Real Sociedad are strong at home, they have a lot of resources and we'll have to put in a great performance there. We're looking forward to the tie and eager to get to the final. We have the utmost confidence in our players. In the Manchester City game they showed their enormous potential and we're confident they will continue in the same vein in the upcoming games."
Praise for the team
"Yesterday the team responded perfectly in all aspects of the game, from the start they dominated and created chances. Despite adversity and going behind, the team managed to equalise. They dominated the game and had more chances to score. We're satisfied because it's difficult to win in Europe and even more so against City. We have to be very proud of the players' work. They made a huge sacrifice and effort, aware of the importance of the match. The overall performance was optimal. We have huge challenges ahead of us in the coming weeks and we have to be prepared."
Second leg against Manchester City
"That's how the draw went. There are indeed 8 days between yesterday's game and next Wednesday's. We have injured players and we hope that some of them will be fit in time. We need to have as many players as possible because of the schedule, which is tough. Hopefully, we can get them back and Ancelotti will have more options on the pitch."