Por Redaccion 
The two players who have lifted the trophy in the last two editions (Llull in 2024 and Díaz in 2023) have talked about the feelings that this new Copa del Rey final provokes in them and what it means for each team.
Alberto Díaz started by saying, «For us, this final is a great motivation. I think it confirms the work we have been doing, not only this season but in previous years, to establish ourselves at the top, to fight for titles. I believe it is a good moment for sports in Malaga, for Unicaja, and this represents the consolidation of being up there.»
Sergio Llull stated, «Real Madrid comes with a lot of desire, with a lot of enthusiasm. The main goal was to reach this final to have the chance to win a title, and we are ready, eager. We know it won’t be easy, that Unicaja is also in a good moment and plays a very attractive style of basketball for the spectators. We will have to give our all at every moment to win.»
About the energy they have expended in these two days, Alberto assured, «We have whatever strength is left. It has been two battles, two games where you drain yourself of energy, but this is a final and that is in the past. Now, you only have to focus on a final game where you have to give it your all. Obviously, all the teams are tired, but once the game starts, that doesn’t matter.» Llull confirms, «Fatigue should not be an excuse, and both teams will give our best to try to win this Cup.»
Alberto was asked for a message to the fans: «First of all, thank you. From here, we feel your support, your affection. We know that you make an effort, not only with your time but also financially, and we are very grateful. You have to be clear that we will give it all, that we will go out to fight until the end. We know we will have your support, so at least we wish you to enjoy it as much as possible and stay calm.»
Sergio Llull highlighted about Unicaja, «They do not have just one virtue; otherwise, they would not have achieved what they have in recent years. They have a very high pace of play, are a tough defensive team that gets a lot of steals, we will have to control our turnovers and then move the ball well in attack.»
Alberto on Real Madrid: «They are among the best players in Europe, even in the world. So, there is no magic solution or anything specific we can highlight. We have to control them for the full 40 minutes. It is a team that can break the game at any moment. So, we have to be focused, united, and know that we will have tough moments, but we have to be there together and give it our all.»
Regarding the type of match the Real Madrid player expects, he agrees with Alberto Díaz’s words: «I expect a tough match, an attractive one for the spectators, very physical. I believe it will be a battle throughout the 40 minutes that will be decided in the final minutes. And I think the team that is more solid and makes fewer errors in the details will win the match.»
It is possible that the two players will have to defend each other, and in this situation, the Malaga player jokes, «The first thing is that he doesn’t throw a tangerine at me because he will surely make it. It is true that everyone knows how Sergio is, the quality he has. And in those moments when he is inspired, I prefer someone else to defend him because I might end up on the bench. But well, it is an honor to defend him, to play against him, and I hope he behaves well.»
Llull, on his part, also assured with a bit of humor, «If I see that Alberto is defending me, I will pass it to someone else, we will set up the play for someone else. Everyone says that Alberto is a great defender, with that grit, with that energy he provides at the back, but we must not forget what he does in attack as well. Yesterday when La Laguna Tenerife was pressing, he came up with his three-pointers, with his shots after dribbling. He has improved a lot in his game, and we cannot talk about him only as a defender.»
It has been 20 years since Unicaja won their first Copa del Rey, precisely against Real Madrid. Alberto was a child who said, «I think it was our first great feat as a club. And so much time later, being here today representing my club, my city, is something wonderful, and we hope to bring joy to our fans.»
Finally, they wanted to recall the last similar precedent, which was the Super Cup final last September, where Unicaja emerged victorious. Therefore, Llull stated, «I hope it doesn’t resemble too much the match in Murcia because there they gave us a real beating, caught us totally off guard, and they deservedly took that first title of the season. Our intention is to change that. We come warned about how they come out to games, how they play, and we have to be very focused to have a chance of winning.»
Alberto, on his part, said, «It will be a new match, starting from scratch. Real Madrid, I think, is in a very good moment, very solid, and I believe the match will be completely different from the Super Cup. I think there will be a lot more quality, a lot more spectacle, and I am sure it will be enjoyable.»