The CDA Navalcarnero faces a major test in the first round of the Copa del Rey as they prepare to host Real Betis, an encounter manager Miguel Zárate describes as a "historical challenge" for the Segunda RFEF side.
While the match represents a major opportunity for the club founded in 1953, the team will relocate from their home stadium to the Santo Domingo facility in Alcorcón to accommodate a larger crowd.
A Strategic Shift to Santo Domingo
The decision to move the match from the 1,500-capacity Mariano González stadium to the 5,100-seat home of AD Alcorcón is rooted in logistics rather than financial gain.
According to club officials, the move is necessary to ensure that as many of the club’s 2,100 members and local residents as possible can attend the fixture. Safety regulations prohibiting standing spectators further necessitated the change of venue, as reported by Diario de Sevilla.
For Zárate, who took charge of the project on May 22, the game is the most significant in the club’s recent history. “More than the match of our lives, we want to focus on it as the one with the most difficulty, the most repercussion, and the greatest magnitude in our history because of what Betis represents,” Zárate told the news agency EFE, as cited by Diario de Sevilla.
Navalcarnero Prepares for Real Betis
Navalcarnero enters the contest after securing their spot through the Copa Federación. Zárate said that the squad is approaching the match with “recharged energy” and a full roster, having seen previously injured players return to training. The manager emphasized that while the team respects the current form of their La Liga opponents, they are focused on identifying tactical gaps.
«We are very focused on how we have to approach it, where those small details are so as not to suffer so much and look for some moment in which to have an advantage,» Zárate said. He described the current state of Real Betis as being in a “clearly upward line” across all competitions, noting the depth of the top-flight squad.
Honoring a Club Legacy
Beyond the tactical preparation, the match serves as a tribute to the late Jesús de Miguel, a former player who held an important place within the Navalcarnero community. Zárate highlighted that the club and its supporters have worked to ensure the atmosphere reflects the gravity of the occasion.
«It is going to be a match where the fans have turned out and the club has helped make it very special for everyone. May it serve as a great tribute to Jesús de Miguel and his family,» Zárate said. The manager added that the players are aware of the legacy they represent and are eager to deliver a performance that honors the memory of their former teammate.
Squad Composition and Tactical Outlook
The Navalcarnero side relies on a mix of youth and experience, with an average age of 24.9 years. The roster includes veteran leaders like 37-year-old captain Richi de Souza and midfielder Jesús Cruz, alongside younger talents recruited under the current sporting project. Many players balance their football careers with external studies or professional work, including team doctor Javier Nistal.
Zárate, who cites coaches like Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique as professional inspirations, has aimed to build a “brave” and “compact” team. While acknowledging the disparity in category between the two clubs, the manager remains optimistic about the potential for an upset in a single-elimination format.
“When only ninety minutes are played and the big team plays away, sometimes the forces are equalized despite the difference in category,” he said to Diario de Sevilla.
