Racing's Andrés Martín keeping feet on ground ahead of Barça cup clash
Racing Santander's star striker Andrés Martín talks priorities as his side prepare to host Barcelona in Copa del Rey, with promotion dreams taking precedence.
Despite the glamour of hosting Barcelona in the Copa del Rey last 16, Racing Santander’s in-form striker Andrés Martín insists the club’s main focus remains securing promotion to La Liga.
Racing’s man of the moment
The 24-year-old from Aguadulce has been absolutely mustard this season. With 10 goals to his name already, Martín is proving why he claimed last season’s Zarra Trophy as the top Spanish goalscorer in Segunda División.
Racing’s winter champions have been turning heads in the Copa del Rey too, having already knocked out Villarreal in a proper giant-killing. Now they’ve got Barcelona coming to Cantabria in what promises to be a right Bobby Dazzler of an occasion at El Sardinero.
Priorities straight
But Martín isn’t getting carried away with cup fever. While hosting the Catalan giants represents a massive opportunity to cause another upset, the striker has made it crystal clear where Racing’s true ambitions lie:
“It’s wonderful that Barcelona are coming, but our real dream is promotion,” Martín has stated, keeping his feet firmly on the terra firma.
And he’s got a point. Racing currently sit top of Segunda División at the halfway mark of the season. That’s the bread and butter, innit?
Immediate focus
The Racing squad know they’ve got bigger fish to fry beyond the glamour cup tie. This Sunday brings a crucial league clash against Las Palmas with top spot potentially at stake.
While the visit of Barça will bring the cameras and attention, it’s the promotion push that represents the club’s true North Star after years away from Spain’s top flight.
For Martín and his teammates, the challenge is clear - enjoy the Barcelona occasion but remember that the pathway back to La Liga is the main prize that Santander craves.