Once again, the Copa del Rey will bring together the giants of Spanish football and clubs from regional divisions hoping to make their mark among the elite. Atlético Calatayud is one of them, with an extraordinary opportunity ahead: overcoming the preliminary tie and becoming one of the teams to enter the first round of the cup competition.
Accordingly, the RFEF will hold the draw for the preliminary tie this Thursday, September 10, from 1:00 p.m. Twenty teams from regional divisions will take part, being paired in ten ties that will determine which teams advance to the Copa del Rey rounds. The pairings will be based on geographical proximity, and the Aragonese team will be grouped with representatives from the Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Navarre in the so-called Copa B. The Aragonese side's possible opponents are CF Sant Rafael, AE Prat and CD Baztán.
The tie, which will be played over two legs, will take place on September 26 and October 3, with the first match at the stadium of the team drawn first. Last year, Atlético Calatayud were eliminated at this same stage after suffering a heavy defeat to Sant Just, losing the first leg 3-0 and the return leg 1-4.
THE JACKPOT
If they progress, Atlético Calatayud will earn the right to play in the first round of the Copa del Rey. That is where the great appeal of this story lies: the possibility of hosting one of the top-flight clubs, excluding those taking part in the Spanish Super Cup (Barcelona, Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and Atlético).
For Atlético Calatayud, the journey begins this Thursday with the draw. They do not yet know their opponent or where they will have to play the first match, but they do know the prize awaiting them if they overcome the final step toward what would be a dream for both the club and the Aragonese town.
