"We are confident"- Borja Iglesias sends message to Man United ahead of Real Betis's Europa League clash

Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias has stated that his teammates and himself are feeling confident ahead of their Europa League round of 16 tie against Manchester United.

 

The prolific 30-year-old forward has 10 goals to his name this season and has registered five more assists across all competitions for the La Liga side. He has been out due to injury but made a return last Friday during the club's 3-2 win over bottom-table club Elche.

 

Real Betis played Man United for the first time ever during the 20 times Premier League Champions midseason friendlies in Spain, a game Erik Ten Hag's side lost 1-0. The two sides will however play their first official and competitive game next Thursday, with the La Liga side traveling down to Manchester for the first leg of the tie before they welcome the Red Devils to Spain seven days later.

 

Real Betis are currently fifth on the La Liga table, trailing Atlético Madrid by just two points, and are aiming for a champion league spot at the end of the season. Borja Iglesias will be facing an English opponent for the first time in his career, and Man United will be the first in the Europa League. He claimed he and his teammates will put their best effort into it and progress to the next stage.

 

“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.”

 

The La Liga side were dealt a huge blow after one of their most influential playmakers, Nabil Fekir, was ruled out of the tie due to an ACL injury; the 29-year-old could miss the rest of the season all along. They will play La Liga giants Real Madrid this weekend before traveling to Manchester for their Europa League tie.

 

Borja Iglesias indicated that Nabil Fekir's injury is a bad one for the team, and his absence in the dressing room will be felt.

 

"I was commenting on it the other day; Nabil brings us a lot on the pitch, but also from the locker room; he is a guy who is cheerful; he always seeks to be in a good mood," Borja Iglesias added.

 

“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 our game with him for whatever he needs and he returns as soon as possible, but above all as well as possible.”