Real Madrid
vs
Alcorcon
Match Schedule:
Date: November 10th
Time: 18:00 (GMT)
Alcorcón, a club from the outskirts of Madrid who play in the third tier of Spanish football, created a huge upset and a media maelstrom for Real after thrashing their big-spending neighbours 4-0 in the first leg of their cup tie a fortnight ago.
In the wake of that defeat, which has been described as one of Real's biggest ever humiliations, there was speculation that the coach, Manuel Pellegrini, would be sacked if results in the subsequent two matches against Getafe and Milan went against them.
However, having seen his side beat Getafe 2-0 with 10 men, dominate in a 1-1 Champions League draw with Milan, and then see off their bitter rivals Atlético Madrid 3-2 on Saturday, Pellegrini seems to have weathered the storm and confidence appears to be high in the Real camp ahead of tomorrow's match.
The Brazil star Kaká, who sat out the first match, said on his club's website: "For pride and for the history of Real Madrid, we have to win this tie. The derby victory has given us a lot of morale to be able to achieve this comeback. We all have to be united, players and public. The fans have to be the 12th man."
The striker Gonzalo Higuaín, who also missed the opening game, added: "We are in a good moment. We are Real Madrid and we have to show it. The key is concentration. Maybe this is what we lacked in the first match.
"From the first minute we must be focused and give it everything. If we keep the attitude we've shown since the 2-0 win over Getafe then our chances will be a lot better."
Real are the only Primera División big gun who look at serious risk of not making it through to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey this week.
The holders and reigning European and Spanish champions, Barcelona, hold a 2-0 lead going into their home leg against Cultural Leonesa, while Sevilla are 4-2 up against Atlético Ciudad, Valencia lead Alcoyano 1-0 and Atlético Madrid are 2-0 ahead of Marbella.
Villarreal, who were dumped out at this stage last season after being stunned 6-1 on aggregate by Segunda División B side Polideportivo Ejido, have work to do after only drawing 1-1 at Puertollano.
However, Ernesto Valverde's side, despite last night's 3-2 league defeat at high-flying Sevilla, look to be over their poor start to the season and will be confident of progressing.
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