Alfonso Pedraza’s Emotional Journey in the Copa del Rey

Alfonso Pedraza is experiencing a particularly emotional edition of the Copa del Rey. The Villarreal full-back is set to compete against his nephew, José Pedraza, who plays for CD Antoniano, in the second round of the tournament following today’s draw. This match holds special significance for the family, who previously celebrated the yellow team’s match in Lucena, attended by many friends and acquaintances due to its proximity to San Sebastián de los Ballesteros.

“This has been very special. The first match was in Córdoba, with my whole family and my hometown supporting me, and now the second one is against my nephew, which is something very, very special. It’s not just about me, but also for my parents, my brother, and our entire town to see us face off in a professional match,” he remarked proudly. Pedraza noted, with a hint of familial pride, that his nephew José plays as a forward and is taller than him.

Regardless of their family ties, the footballer stresses the importance of treating the match with the seriousness it deserves, given the unpredictable nature of cup competitions: “While it may seem like a weaker opponent at first glance because they are from Segunda Federación, they’ve already eliminated Castellón. We cannot afford to relax, as there are always surprises in the Copa. Last year we were knocked out, and we know we need to go out and win. This competition is significant because, in just six matches, we could reach a final.”

He also mentioned that the locker room is currently feeling the pressure from their recent cup performances: “There is talk about it in the dressing room, and I believe that with the team we have, we need to take this competition seriously because it could lead us to a title.”

Pedraza emphasized that the depth of the squad allows them to strive for success across all competitions: “This year features the most competition we’ve seen, and I believe we have a strong team capable of fighting for everything. The Champions League demands a lot, but we know that to qualify for it next year, we must perform well in the league. I think we are currently maintaining a high level. Why not aim for third place? I believe we have the team to achieve that.”

As one of the few players whose contract expires at the end of the season, Pedraza is still part of Marcelino’s plans. He stated that there have been no discussions regarding his contract yet: “No, at the moment I don’t know anything, and I am focused on performing well and helping the club in any way I can. We will see what happens. It’s still early, being November, and it’s not the time to discuss such matters. My focus is on doing everything I can to support the team, and that is my goal.”