LOPETEGUI: "WINNING IS THE ONLY OPTION. EVERY MATCH IN THE CUP IS A FINAL"

Julen Lopetegui spoke to the media this Wednesday afternoon ahead of tomorrow's cup match against Real Zaragoza: "The team is feeling the tension and excitement you get before a big match. It's a final - we are giving it the importance it deserves and know how tough it will be. We are excited and we know the only option is to win - every cup match is a final. We're playing against a historic team, they're good in the cup, and they're rebuilding under their sporting director Miguel Torrecilla and they have a good, young team. They have four U21 players, which isn't easy, and when you analyse them you see they play well and know their game plan."

Going into more depth, Julen said he was expecting "a cup game against an opponent who play good football, who control the ball, have automatisms in place and have good players. They have an attractive game and we'll be in the historic La Romareda. We need to prepare well because this competition gives you no second bites at the cherry - it is very difficult. We've seen it in previous rounds and we'll keep seeing it. We have to prepare well within the challenges we are facing, given the lack of players available and the demanding match only two days ago."

The team is missing players and now the AFCON has come around: "It's a reality that we're missing players, through injuries, the AFCON, long-term injuries... If we needed to strengthen before, now it's even more important. We have less players than in Cádiz because Bono and Munir have now left. That's the reality. Delaney is injured which is worrying because we need him, like we need every player, and he's going to be out for a fair few matches. Jesús Navas got over his injury a while back, but he's had a string of problems and we're still waiting."

Julen ruled out Delaney, Navas and Fernando for the match

Discussing the opening of the transfer window, Lopetegui was clear: "It's obvious we need reinforcements, we've needed them for a while. Before we couldn't and now we can but the only person who can answer that question is Monchi. I would say we need them as soon as possible and for them to be the best players possible. It's clear where we need strengthening because we have players out for the season and in attack we have access to two of six players. If you need more information, Monchi is the man."

Although he won't be in action tomorrow, Julen showed his satisfaction with Fernando renewing his contract: "We're happy he renewed his contract. He has earned it on the pitch and no one has gifted him anything. He is very important for the team and he is a daily example of how you behave. He has a sprained ankle and won't be ready for Zaragoza. We're not sure about the next match." What is sure is that there will be good representation from the youth team: "We're very aware of Sevilla Atlético. A lot of them are working with us and there'll be a lot of them in the squad."