The draw for the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey left an unforgettable pairing for Atlético Baleares. The Balearic club, which has just surprised Espanyol in the previous round, will have the opportunity to face for the first time in its stadium one of the giants of Spanish soccer: Atlético de Madrid.
The Estadi Balear is preparing for one of the most special nights in its recent history.
A historic crossroads for the blue and white team
The draw left one of those pairings that mark a club. Minutes before the rival was known, Jaume Tovar was in charge of drawing the ball for Atlético Baleares in Las Rozas, and his reaction said it all: they will take on the challenge with enthusiasm and without losing their sense of reality.
“It will be difficult to score against them, but I’m sure we will enjoy it to the maximum,” he acknowledged, aware of Atlético de Madrid’s level but also of the special character that the match at the Estadi Balear will have.
The joy spread quickly through the club: Rubén Bover, from the Balearic headquarters, underlined the excitement generated by receiving a Spanish soccer great for the first time. For the players, the fans and the institution, the crossing represents a unique opportunity to experience a historic night.
When the game will be played and why timing will be key
The schedule of the match has not yet been defined, although everything points to the fact that it will not be one of the first to be played on December 16, 17 or 18. The reason is the tight schedule of the Balearic team, which will play on Sunday against Terrassa at noon, which limits their recovery options.
However, Atletico Madrid could push for an earlier date within that margin, as Diego Simeone’s side competes this Saturday in La Liga and would benefit from more rest before facing their upcoming commitments.
The most immediate precedent does not favor the Balearic team either: after eliminating Espanyol, they had just 63 hours to play their next league match, a scenario that the club would prefer to avoid on this occasion given the demanding nature of their opponents.
An encouraging reminder in this same round
Atlético Baleares faces this tie with an encouraging record. The last time they reached the last 32 of the Copa del Rey, they managed to qualify for the round of 16 after beating Celta Vigo 2-1, with a brace from Manel Martínez in actions generated by Canario.
On that occasion, the Cup dream came to an end against Valencia, who won by the narrowest of margins (0-1). If the Balearic Islands advance this year, they will compete again for a place in the top eight between January 13 and 15.
