Former Real Madrid and current Albacete defender Jesús Vallejo reacted after his side were drawn against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey round of 16, acknowledging both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity
it presents.
“That’s football,” Vallejo said after the draw. “It’s a sport full of surprises. After the Celta tie, anything could happen, and that’s exactly what happened.”
The former Real Madrid player also joked about the timing of the fixture, with Los Blancos navigating a congested calendar that includes the Spanish Super Cup.
“Let’s hope they arrive tired from so many Super Cups and that we can prepare a good match here at home,” he added.
Vallejo revealed that he learned of the draw in real time as he arrived at Albacete’s training facilities, sharing a moment of surprise with those around him.
“I was arriving at the Sports City and Agus alerted me,” he explained. “We experienced the final seconds of the draw and then we also saw Raúl’s reaction. It was unexpected, but we’re very happy and I’m sure we’re going to work very well.”
Despite the emotional pull of facing his former club, Vallejo stressed the competitive mindset required once the match begins, emphasizing focus, intensity, and the unique chance to make history.
“Once on the field, as in every match, do your best, compete, be connected to the game,” he said. “On the field, as I always say, there are no friends and you have to fight hard and above all, enjoy it a lot because it could be something historic.”
