Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias says his teammates feel “confident” ahead of next week’s Europa League first-leg last-16 clash with Manchester United.
The forward has netted 10 goals this season and grabbed his fifth assist of the campaign upon his return from a finger ligament injury in last Friday’s 3-2 win over La Liga bottom club Elche. United will welcome Betis to Old Trafford on Thursday before the return trip seven days later.
It will be the first time the two clubs meet competitively but they did face off during United's training camp in Spain during December's World Cup break, which the hosts won 1-0 against a heavily depleted and rotated Reds side.
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Betis are fifth in La Liga and are aiming for a Champions League spot, sitting just two points off Atletico Madrid. Iglesias - yet to face an English side in his career - says he is looking forward to the Europa League clash with United and says his side have a lot to give.
“If you want to win the competition you have to eliminate whoever you face,” he told club media. “I am very excited. [Manchester United are] a historic club, and have a beautiful stadium. We are confident.”
Betis were dealt a blow earlier this week when influential playmaker Nabil Fekir was ruled out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up against Elche. It's a huge blow for the club’s ambitions, with Real Madrid to play this weekend before the trip to Manchester.
Iglesias, 30, said Fekir’s absence would be felt in the dressing room. He added: "I was commenting on it the other day, Nabil brings us a lot on the pitch, but also on from the locker room, he is a guy who is cheerful, he always seeks to be in a good mood.
“He is fun and it is a shame not to have him on a day-to-day basis. But obviously we are going to be at the top of his game with him for whatever he needs and he returns as soon as possible, but above all as best as possible.”
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