“Peña were very good, they played a very admirable game. I congratulated them, the coach and the players. With these matches, you just have to focus on getting through. In the end we won against a very worthy rival,” Mel stated, in praise of Peña Deportiva.

The Madrid-born coach added: “We had to get through, up against a rival that gave their all, in front of their fans. This is football and we must compete. We managed to qualify by being more successful in the penalty shootout,” he affirmed.

However, “our focus is on La Romareda. Today we saw the excitement of football, and it’s a good message for the players. It's nice to see when a team does well,” said Mel who is “calm because we've passed. Many Copa del Rey champions pass the first qualifying rounds by the skin of their teeth.”

Fran Sol’s goal had a special dedication, following the premature death of Gallar's daughter. “Any parent will know what Álex is going through. We need to give Raquel and Álex all our love and support,” he stated.

“What we need is to win. To carry on, be optimistic and work hard for Zaragoza. It’s not about an unfair result, it is what it is, you can’t choose the times,” Mel concluded.

Photo: SCR Peña Deportiva