Football has always been supportive of those most in need and for a good charitable cause we have seen Joan Manuel Serrat, Lola Flores and El Cordobés in shorts, stars of the Christmas matches of artists against bullfighters, typical of the late Franco era. All the big clubs have details with populations when they suffer accidents, either playing a friendly, or sending training shirts and regulation balls.
The first round of the Copa del Rey, drawn yesterday, retains this magic of well-understood philanthropy, which evokes the “sit a poor person at your table” campaign of the Franco regime. It was about making an effort and sharing some Christmas cuchipanda with a poor person, who usually ended up with a huge embarrassment. Am I exaggerating? Just look at the reactions of the modest clubs to which some First Division clubs have responded…
“It will be a party to play against UD Las Palmas,” said Manacor coach Jaume Mut exultantly (especially because it is a single match and the little trip belongs to the Canarians). Everyone says they are very happy (the poor are very happy), although if we were more honest we would detect disappointment with the hype. “We are very happy with the matchup (Real Sociedad). It is one of the teams that everyone wanted, although perhaps first, the most desired, was Valencia because it is the main team in the Community and because there are a lot of Valencians here,” said the CD Buñol coach. Naturally they preferred Valencia! And let’s not say when the rival is still a modest team, even if it is from First Division, hence the commendable sincerity of the Talavera captain, paired with a First Division, yes: UD Almería. “It’s not the one I was most excited about but it’s amazing.” Yes, especially if Almería gives priority to the League and still wins in Talavera with half the reserve team. One last!
The Cup draw brings joy and is very well distributed. The tough Extremaduran Hernán Cortés will be visited by Betis and Rubí, a Catalan regional team, will receive the emeritus king of cups, Athletic Bilbao. One thing is the abysmal difference in categories and level and another is what the single-match tie may bring. As good sports education requires, the representatives of Hernán Cortés and Rubí warn that they will go all out, excited to surprise and confident in their possibilities. From two coaches as educated as Pellegrini and Valverde we all expect phrases as beautiful as those that “games have to be played,” “there is no small enemy,” “we take Hernán Cortés very seriously!”