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UNION NET MADRID IN CUP DRAW
Mijatovic - respects Real Union.
Real Union sporting advisor Roberto Lopez Ufarte is licking his lips at the prospect of some giant killing after the Basque side were paired with Real Madrid in Friday's draw for the Copa del Rey last 32.
The third division outfit will host the first leg of the tie on October 29, and Lopez Ufarte is confident Union can cause an upset against the Spanish champions in that match, even if an overall triumph is probably out of the question.
"Irun is going to have a party," said the former Spain, Real Sociedad and Union winger. "We were all hoping for a draw like this and for us it's the big one."
He added: "I don't think we are not going to lose the game in Irun and this means Madrid cannot be confident.
"Madrid are much better than us, but you still have to play the games. The possibility of us going through is remote, but we've seen everything happen in football."
Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic, whose side are chasing their 18th Copa del Rey crown but first since 1993, responded by saying: "Real Union are a small team, modest, but they have their history and you have to respect them.
"They are going to do everything possible to cause a surprise. These types of teams have nothing to lose and everything to win.
"This year we are obliged to have a good run in the Copa del Rey. We have gone a long time without winning this competition and the last two years we have gone out very early. We have high hopes and maybe the time has arrived."
Union are not the only Segunda B team who secured a big-name opponent after the Primera Liga teams entered the competition in Friday's cup draw.
Benidorm will play mighty Barcelona, Poli Ejido will face last season's Primera Liga runners-up Villarreal, and Ponferradina meet Sevilla.
Fourth-tier side Portugalete also have a huge job on their hands to make it through to the last 16 as they meet holders and current Primera Liga leaders Valencia.
There were also a number of all-Primera Liga ties, with Athletic Bilbao facing Recreativo Huelva, Getafe playing Osasuna, Numancia clashing with Sporting Gijon and Malaga meeting Real Mallorca.
Full draw for Copa del Rey last-32:
Elche v Deportivo La Coruna
Murcia v Racing Santander
Celta Vigo v Espanyol
Rayo Vallecano v Almeria
Hercules v Real Valladolid
Castellon v Real Betis
Athletic Bilbao v Recreativo Huelva
Getafe v Osasuna
Numancia v Sporting Gijon
Malaga v Real Mallorca
Atletico Madrid v Orihuela
Poli Ejido v Villarreal
Real Union v Real Madrid
Benidorm v Barcelona
Portugalete v Valencia
Ponferradina v Sevilla
