Real Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno says he expects a "dangerous" tie against neighbours Leganes in their upcoming Copa del Rey quarterfinal clash.
In the first leg next week, Zinedine Zidane's struggling side will make the short trip to take on a Leganes team who are currently ninth in the La Liga table, and eliminated Villarreal on away goals in the round of 16 to reach this stage of the competition for the first time in their history.
"Leganes are having a magnificent season, in Liga and Copa," Butragueno told Real Madrid TV. "They knocked out Villarreal, a top team. They are going through a moment of euphoria, and will have max motivation against Real Madrid. They will be a very dangerous opponent and we must be very careful with all the details. We know this competition, the first leg away, we will see how it goes, but for sure it will be difficult."
Leganes have conceded just 14 goals in their 17 games so far, scoring 13 times themselves, and Butragueno praised the defensive solidity of Asier Garitano's side.
"They are very solid at the back, and when they win the ball back they look to counter," he said. "They are very solid, make the most of all their virtues, and recent results make them even stronger. They concede very few goals, and up front they find a way to hurt the opponent. We must be very careful across the two games. In this competition one mistake can mean elimination."
Holders Barcelona were drawn against city rivals Espanyol, whose coach Quique Sanchez Flores is reportedly close to a move to Premier League side Stoke; Atletico Madrid face Sevilla and Valencia taken on Alaves in the other ties.
This year's Copa final is set for April 21, with Atletico's new Wanda Metropolitano stadium a potential venue.