QPR boss sends rallying call ahead of 'aggressive' Cambridge United cup clash

Marti Cifuentes wants a response after defeat to West Brom.Marti Cifuentes wants a response after defeat to West Brom.
Marti Cifuentes wants a response after defeat to West Brom. | Getty Images
The Carabao Cup returns this week with QPR making the short trip to Cambridge.

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes is preparing for an 'aggressive' Carabao Cup encounter with Cambridge United this evening as his R's side look for an immediate bounceback from an underwhelming start to the Championship season.

Despite a busy summer window, it was a familiarly painful tale at Loftus Road as the London side fell to a 3-1 defeat in the first match of the campaign against West Brom. Lucas Andersen opened the scoring for QPR but a Josh Maja hat-trick followed to ensure all three points went home to the Midlands.

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Cifuentes' side now have the chance to respond with a trip to Cambridge United on Tuesday in Carabao Cup action. The League One hosts began their campaign on Saturday with defeat too, beaten 2-0 by newly promoted Stockport County on their travels.

Former Swansea City and Leeds United boss Gary Monk is in charge of the hosts having taken the role in March. Cifuentes told the QPR website: “We go there knowing they are a good side at home. They have changed their manager but it will be aggressive and we will have to give our best if we want to go forward.”

QPR travel to Cambridge United on Tuesday night.QPR travel to Cambridge United on Tuesday night.
QPR travel to Cambridge United on Tuesday night. | Getty Images

The Catalan coach admitted that he would make changes to the QPR starting XI that took on West Brom on Saturday with players given the chance 'to show up', as he targeted tasting better cup success this season.

It's only Cifuentes' second taste of cup action in the UK since arriving at Loftus Road last October. He said: “I have only played one cup game in English football, this was last season against Bournemouth in the FA Cup. It is another competition but playing the cups is a big tradition of English football. For me, these are important games. I am aware that QPR has not been great in those games but we are here to try to improve, to try to take a new step.”

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