Cultural Leonesa's match-day delegate is a close friend of Luis Enrique's



AReal Madrid get ready to start their Copa del Rey campaign against Cultural Leonesa, they will face one of Luis Enrique's good friends Luis Ballesteros, the match-day delegate for the minnows from Leon.
Ballesteros would in fact have preferred to face his friend rather than the side from the capital, but still recognises the historic moment for the club he currently works for.
"When Luis Enrique signed for Barcelona, I considered becoming a part of his training staff," Ballesteros said. "In the end, I chose to remain in Leon, with Cultural.
"Luis Enrique told me to enjoy the moment - it is unique and with global repurcussions for the club."
The goal for the club from Leon is to repeat the feats of Alarcon from several seasons back.
"A 1-0 win would be great for morale," the delegate said. "I think Real will be surprised because we aren't a team that foul a lot and try to have the ball."
Cultural Deportivo Leonesa have a chance to place themselves on the footballing map as they gear up to host Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
La Cultu have been in fine form thus far this season, and are currently at the summit of Segunda B Group 1 following eight wins and two draws from their opening 10 league fixtures.
The fixture against Los Blancos will be the biggest fixture in the club's history with the Castilian City Leon, originally a military encampment, said to be abuzz ahead of the fixture.
Although Leonesa are aware that the capital club are far superior on the pitch, the club is confident that they can match Madrid with attitude, excitement, and enthusiasm.
The match presents itself as a reunion of sorts for captains Ivan Gonzalez and Antonio Martinez, who began their careers in the Real Madrid academy.
Meanwhile, talisman Alex Gallar will be hoping that he can continue his fine goalscoring form by bagging a goal or two against the European champions.Antonio Martinez and Ivan Gonzalez, Cultural y Deportivo Leonesa's Copa Del Rey clash with Real Madrid will be a special occasion for the duo.
Not only is it the biggest match in the club's history - a chance to share the spotlight on the global stage - it is an opportunity for the captains to take on their old friends.
Both Martinez and Gonzalez were brought up in the Real Madrid academy system known as La Fabrica with the former, in particular, playing in both the Real Madrid "B" and "C" teams before pursuing a career elsewhere.
As such, the clash will see the pair reunited with Alvaro Morata, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, with whom they played with during their youth academy days.
"We talked with them about this occasion, but clearly they do not give the match the same importance as we do," they said.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez insists that, although inferior, Cultural will play for the win, believing in their home advantage.
"Let's play without thinking of getting others' shirts or taking pictures but trying to win," Gonzalez said. "We believe we have options.
"In the end when you play at home with your fans behind you, it is easier," he continued. "And much easier without the BBC (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano) too."
Although aware that Real Madrid are a 'little faster, a little better' than themselves, the captains are hopeful of a positive result in both legs.
"It will be the first time we play at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, but hopefully not the last."

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