Athletic set the ball rolling

By Andy Hall

The Copa del Rey quarter-finals open tonight with Athletic Club Bilbao, 23-times winners, playing second division side Real Valladolid, the conquerors of Real Madrid CF.

Weekend fightback
It is 21 years since Athletic last lifted the trophy and coach Ernesto Valverde is keen to build on some impressive recent results - including a remarkable 4-3 league win against CA Osasuna on Saturday, when they fought back from three goals down. "The only downside about great games is that there is always another one to play three days later," the coach said.

'No guarantees'
Valverde added: "There are no guarantees in football, whether you start as favourites or underdogs - our strategy is to make sure we score and stop Valladolid from doing so." An ankle injury has ruled out striker Ismael Urzaiz while right-back Jesús Lacruz also misses out after stretching a knee ligament against Osasuna.

Betis test
Valladolid coach Sergio Kresic, meanwhile, can call on Xavi Moré, who hit the decisive goal against Madrid last week but Javier Torres Gómez is suspended. Elsewhere, four top-flight teams will contest tomorrow's ties - Osasuna visit Sevilla FC while CD Numancia are at home to Club Atlético de Madrid - but the most intriguing clash comes on Thursday when Segunda División B minnows UDA Gramenet face Real Betis Balompié on the artificial turf at the Nou Camp Municipal.