Boos ring out as Real crash out of Spanish Cup

November 11, 2009

Real Madrid crashed out of the Spanish Cup on Tuesday as they could only manage a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu over third division Alcorcon, who went through to the last 16 with a 4-1 aggregate score.

The loss extended 17-time winners’ Real’s drought in the competition dating back to 1993.

The Real supporters had booed the players off at half-time while there were cries of ‘Pellegrini resign’ at the coach Manuel Pellegrini, especially when the 56-year-old Chilean replaced Real’s most impressive player on the night Frenchman Lassana Diarra with over 20 minutes remaining.

Pellegrini, who took over in the close season after an impressive spell in charge of Villarreal, had started with four strikers including Kaka, Real icon Raul and former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy.

However, they failed to have the impact he wished and it wasn’t until the 81st minute they scored, through Dutch attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.

Pellegrini tried to justify his substitution of Diarra.

“I could have been selfish because I knew that changing ‘Lass’ wasn’t going to please,” said Pellegrini.

“But it was important that the player didn’t injure himself. I think about the player and the team before myself,” said Pellegrini who admitted they weren’t up to the task on the night.

“We did what seemed necessary but the away result was heavy,” he added.

MADRID (AFP)

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