WATCH: Real Mallorca's Javier Aguirre tried a unique motivational trick ahead of Copa del Rey penalties
Real Mallorca didn't come away with the Copa del Rey trophy on Saturday night, but it wasn't for lack of effort as they pushed the Athletic Club to the limit of defeat, losing to penalties eventually. Manager Javier Aguirre he did everything he could too, including repeating his unique motivational trick before the shoot-out.
Ahead of penalties in the semi-final against Real Sociedad, Aguirre had his players cheering for their teammates as he announced their names for penalties. It worked a treat at the time, as Mallorca took five excellent penalties.
Again, before his head-to-head with Athletic, Aguirre could be seen guiding his team with the same tactic, in what was a cinematic scene.
Here is Aguirre leading his players to cheer on the takers after they are announced.pic.twitter.com/Aiy3kUD8wU
– Rory Barlow (@RuriBarlow) April 6, 2024
On this occasion, Manu Morlanes saw his penalty saved by Julen Agirrezabala and Nemanja Radonjic shine, and Mallorca were left heartbroken. No doubt he may have one or two others thinking about their approach, their final team talking to their players in extremis. A number of Mallorca's players have spoken after the semi-final on how calm and confident they followed Aguirre's antics.
