Geographic proximity?

Athletic Bilbao will face the winner of Sant Rafel vs Prat in the Copa del Rey 26-27; the Catalan side leads 5-1 after the first leg.

Athletic Bilbao learned their first Copa del Rey 26-27 opponent will be the winner of the Sant Rafel-Prat tie. The Catalan team holds a commanding 5-1 lead from the first leg, with the return match postponed from Sunday due to bad weather preventing Ibiza's travel. Athletic will have to travel to Catalonia for the tie, prompting criticism of the federation's stated geographic proximity criteria for draw distribution. Manager Ernesto Valverde has expressed concern about early-round trips to lower-division sides, which he views as potential season-damaging pitfalls despite strong league performance.