Javier Aguirre spoke to the press prior to our Copa del Rey opener against CD Boiro.
The hosts play in the Preferente’s Northern Group in Galicia as we head to the peninsular to get our campaign underway.
On preparation: I face it with the utmost seriousness and enthusiasm. We don't pay attention to the opposition’s division. We know this a beautiful competition. We hope to go far. The team has prepared well and seriously. We are not going thinking that it is going to be easy. We want a recognisable Mallorca, whether or not we face Barcelona or Boiro.
On available players: Darder is not travelling. We are evaluating whether Raíllo will go or not. They will be available for the day of Betis. Perhaps it is too early for a match that is going to be intense and in which the rival is going to demand a lot from us. Perhaps it is not the ideal scenario for them.
On academy players making the trip: They (David López, Quintanilla, 'Miguelito' and Daniel Luna) have joined us for two pre-seasons. They are ready. I have no doubts about these players. They are in first team dynamic and I'm sure that when it's their turn they will do well.
On Cyle Larin: It's his game. He's training like a lion. He's ready. I don't know if he has a block or a situation that I don't know about, but I think he's happy and content in Mallorca. I think he is physically and mentally prepared. I hope he has a good game.
On CD Boiro: We have seen three games. We know they are doing well in the league. They are undefeated. They have good players for the division and very good movements with the ball. Offensively they do very well. Defensively they have not been very demanding in these three games we saw. They have three or four outstanding players. There are people with a lot of quality who for some reason stayed in this division. The coach also has a lot of ideas and his team is very clear about what they play. Sometimes with a line of five or four.
On what he will say to the team ahead of the match: I have been on Boiro's side. I appeal to respect the rival and the best way to respect is to put the best possible team, play the best possible way and think about winning. We must not underestimate anyone. If Boiro is excited, we are going with the same excitement to get through the round and to play a good game. That's what I told my players: to play and behave like LaLiga players. Let's hope we put on a show.
On the renewal of Gio González: He has grown a lot since his arrival. I like him a lot. A Brazilian team wanted him and I told him: ‘Gio, I'm not going to let you go’. It is a great decision on the part of the club to back him because he is a professional.
On time management against Getafe: The referees are the ones who have to make the decision. This year they had said that they were going to compensate with extra time and it turned out that in the first half he didn't give any minutes and I think he called 15 fouls. In the second half he called five. And there have been games with ten and eight minutes of added time. If they consider that they didn't have to give more, that's up to them.
