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Spain Copa del Rey

Champions Real Madrid and favorites Barcelona to rock midweek Copa del Rey stage

Angela Asante, December 20 2011,
La Liga won’t return until January 2012 but the Copa del Rey will provide Spanish football followers with entertainment this week.
Real Madrid and Barcelona inspire this midweek's Copa del Rey action.
Real Madrid and Barcelona inspire this midweek's Copa del Rey action.
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Copa del Rey
Related Articles: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Copa del Rey, Ponferradina, L'Hospitalet
Los Blancos posses a 2-0 advantage over Ponferradina ahead of tonight’s second leg. However, coach Jose Mourinho has urged Real Madrid to bury overconfidence.

A couple of years ago, Real Madrid got stunned by Alcorcon in the early stages of the Copa del Rey. The prospects of a giant-killing by Ponferradina perhaps exist as Mourinho seemed to suggest during Monday’s pre-match press conference.

“The result we earned in the first leg is good, but not definitive,” the outspoken Portuguese manager declared.

“The tie will be left wide open if Ponferradina score first tomorrow and, if their motivation was high at their stadium, I think it will be even higher at the Bernabeu.

“They are a quality side who can complicate things for us.”

Real Madrid will face Ponferradina at the Santiago Bernabeu without the services of Sergio Ramos. The Spanish defender has reportedly picked up a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo will be rested. The star winger scored a hat-trick last weekend as Real Madrid bounced back from their Clasico defeat by trouncing Sevilla.

In other games on Tuesday night, Espanyol will host Celta de Vigo, Mallorca will be away to Sporting Gijon and Sevilla will be at home to San Roque. Sevilla have a slim advantage over San Roque thanks to their 1-0 first leg win.

Celta de Vigo have a great chance of upsetting Spanish Primera Division side Espanyol after last time’s goalless draw. Real Mallorca, however, are obliged to beat Sporting Gijon if they want to progress.

There will be many more Copa del Rey fixtures on Wednesday. Among those, Atletico Madrid will be in action against Albacete, Levante will lock horns with Deportivo while new-look Malaga will try to finish Getafe off.

On Thursday, Valencia will host Cadiz before Copa del Rey favorites Barcelona play L’Hospitalet. The Catalans, who are the newly-crowned world champions in club football, are expected to seal their spot in the next stage without problem.

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