Unionistas champion of modest football against Barcelona: “We are going to meet the expected income for the whole year” | Football | Kinds of sports

The last remnant of humble football that remains alive in the Copa del Rey belongs to the big clubs. A modest reality compared to the elite of national and international football. The Unionistas Salamanca Football Club hosts Barcelona at the Reina Sofia Stadium in the 1/8 finals of the Copa del Rey (Thursday, 19:30, Movistar+), with the intention of continuing to improve. The Blaugrana start as clear favourites, but this is a great opportunity for the Unionistas: “A match like this corresponds to the income we have planned for the whole year,” Miguel Ampuero, vice-president of the Salamanca club, assures El País. Such is the impact of a knockout tournament on smaller teams, who clearly benefit from a format that allows them to use all their assets. “We won the lottery,” Ampuero says.

In Salamanca they don’t want to wake up from the dream they live in with a team founded in 2013 and until recently playing on clay pitches. “Barça is an ocean liner, but we believe in magic,” Ampuero explains excitedly. This is the second time that the Salamanca team hosts a First Division team in this edition, as they have already eliminated Villarreal on penalties. “When we wake up and the dream ends, we will have to be very proud,” says the vice-president of the Primera RFEF club.

Xavi Hernandez’s men face a team that has nothing to lose. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, ​​the mood was shaken after a heavy defeat to Real Madrid in the Super Cup final. “We did something really bad the other day. The defeats against Madrid are difficult, but I am optimistic,” admitted Xavi in ​​the match preview. Barcelona have eight losses: Cancelo, Rafinha, Inigo Martinez, Ter Stegen, Gavi and Marcos Alonso are injured, while Ronald Araujo and Lamin Yamal will miss the tournament due to suspension.

Unionists with experience eliminating First Division teams.

The Blaugrana expedition will face a team led by Dani Ponza, which will “show shamelessness and try to exploit the few weaknesses of Barça,” as Ponz commented at the press conference. “This is a difficult pitch against an opponent who is very strong in defense, with a very airy and direct game,” said the Barça coach. “For them, this is the game of their lives and we must match their faith and courage,” he added.

However, what is more important is not the result on the field, but the economic benefit. “We received about 25,000 euros from individual sponsors alone for this match,” Barbastro’s treasurer Isaac Alvarez, Barcelona’s previous opponent in the Cup, tells the newspaper. “The visibility that playing against such a big team gives us allows us to enter into agreements with national teams.” and international brands. We took away about 30,000 euros,” says Ampuero. “We produced 800 commemorative scarves and they are all sold. People want to have a memory. It is very likely that we will never experience this again in our lives,” explains the vice -President of the Primera RFEF club.

Even without knowing exactly what the game against Barcelona will mean, Salamanca is already predicting exceptional numbers. “We calculate a huge profit, about 200,000 euros. This is a magical gift. This gives us peace of mind,” explains the vice president. This money will allow them to continue their professional careers: “Until now we couldn’t travel by train or plane because it was very expensive,” he explains.

The excitement is spreading both on and off the field. “We are a volunteer club, and the excitement on the faces of people getting ready to play is unique,” ​​Ampuero says. At the Salamanca club, most of the staff and management work altruistically and only the players and coaching staff make a living from football.

They are in a cloud, with the desire to squeeze every second and not let it slip through their fingers. They are not the only ones. “I told the directors of Arandina, who played against Madrid (Ancelotti’s team won 1-3), that this only happens once in a lifetime, and one of them told me: “No, this does not happen.” It’s a miracle,” recalls UD Treasurer Barbastro.

Xavi: “If we don’t win titles, I’ll leave”

On the other hand, Barça live in a difficult reality and are forced to reach the next round. “Victory is closer, but if we don’t win the titles, I’ll be the first to leave. “We are in one of the most difficult situations in the history of the club,” admitted Xavi. The next chapter of the struggle for success is in Salamanca. “When the game starts, I want to enjoy the moment because to experience something like this is a gift,” says Miguel Ampuero.

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