Barring a shock, El Prat to be Athletic’s first Copa del Rey opponents | OneFootball

Athletic await confirmation of their first Copa del Rey opponents, with El Prat near certain after a 5-1 away win over San Rafael. According to El Correo, heavy rain postponed the return leg, and the tie should be settled before a likely visit on 29 October.

For Athletic fans, starting against a Lliga Elit side around Barcelona recalls 2023. Then, the run began in Rubí and ended in glory, ending a 40-year wait and returning the gabarra to the Ría.

El Prat de Llobregat lies 30 kilometres from Rubí beside Barcelona’s airport. AE Prat dropped to Primera Catalana in 2025, their first time there since 2008, after a spell of seven seasons in Segunda B and 10 in Tercera. Last season they finished fourth then fell in the play-offs, and this term have started with a 3-0 win.

Athletic can expect artificial turf at the Polideportivo Municipal Sagnier. Edin Terzic’s side must adapt against Cristian Gómez’s team, while president Luis Quiñonero, in post since 2004 and re-elected through to at least 2029, has led 17 seasons across Segunda B and Tercera and built 68 youth teams with 800-plus players.

Gómez played in the Primera División for Espanyol from 2011 to 2013, later featuring for Real Madrid Castilla, Girona, Lleida and L’Hospitalet. As L’Hospitalet coach last season he resigned after relatives were attacked in the stands during a 1-3 home defeat to L’Escala. He now aims for promotion with AE Prat, though first they must clinch Cup qualification to host Athletic.

Source: El Correo

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