Fuenlabrada 0-2 Real Madrid Copa del Rey: match report, action, goals
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Fuenlabrada 0-2 Real Madrid: match report
Real Madrid suffered in the first half against Madrid minnows, Fuenlabrada, but came good in the second thanks to two converted penalties as they take that lead back to the Santiago Bernabéu for the second leg.
It would take until the 63rd minute for the LaLiga giants to open the scoring through Marco Asensio. Achraf was pulled down by Fran Garcia as the right-back skipped past him in the penalty area. The pull of the jersey looked to be outside the box but Achraf hit the ground inside. Asensio made no mistake with a perfectly-placed penalty beyond Codina in Fuenla's goal.
Seventeen minutes later, the ref was pointing to the spot against as Theo Hernandez was grabbed by Paco Candela, who had just come on, received a yellow card and then got another one for the foul on Hernandez. Lucas Vazquez stepped up this time and while it was nowhere nearly as confident as Asensio's, the result was the same.
Jesus Vallejo was sent off in the 89th minute as he lunged in on Luis Milla and that too was harsh. It wasn't the greatest way to end an overall good debut for a player many believed would have broken into the first team rotation at this point.
The game petered out but Fuenlabrada had a late penalty shout and with the ref in the mood, they thought they had a case. Nacho pulled down two attackers but the referee waved it away as they pushed desperately for a goal to put a dent in Real Madrid's lead.
They couldn't and we will do it all over again as Fuenlabrada go on the road to play in the Bernabéu for the second leg in the search of a couple of goals.
Fuenlabrada vs Real Madrid: as it happened
Fuenlabrada - Real Madrid: preview
Where were you in November 2009?
Anyone in Spain remembers, what is still possibly the most humiliating defeat in a two legged Copa del Rey tie in the competition's history as lowly Alcorcon eliminated high-flying and deep-pocketed Real Madrid in a feat now known around the world as "El Alcorcon-azo".
Tonight at the Fernando Torres stadium in the Madrid suburbs, 2B side Fuenlabrada will look to emulate their suburban neighbours as they face Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey fourth round.
Fuenlabrada
Antonio Calderon, the Fuenlabrada coach is being pragmatic in the whirlwind of media interest surrounding the club leading up to the game with the 50 year old coach affirming that promotion is the club's key objective and that the two legged tie against Real Madrid is a pleasant distraction.
The men in blue from the suburbs went close to securing a place in Spain's second tier last season but fell short losing to Villanovense in the complicated play-off process that sees 16 teams for the four divisions battle out for four spots in the Liga 1|2|3. The side has reinforced well with the likes of Argentine veteran Cata Diaz making the short move from Getafe to shore up the rear-guard whilst former Leganes and Real Oviedo player Dioni is still still an attacking threat having bagged 24 goals in his 36 appearances for "Fuenla".
In his pre-match press conference head-coach Calderon claimed that he didn't need to offer a motivating pre-game talk to his team as they were motivated enough and also admitted that the fact the tie would be decided over two legs hindered the smaller sides.
Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane is expected to field a "B" team this evening at the Fernando Torres, a reserve team that does however include the likes of full internationals such as Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazques with Jesus Vallejo expected to get his first Real Madrid run-out since the conclusion of his loan deal with German side Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Spanish Cup is the title that still eludes the French coach and despite fielding a weaker side, the 45 old is every bit anxious to add the Copa to his list of managerial honours.
"Our ambition this year is to win it because we know that we can.
"For me it is not a minor trophy, for me it is an important trophy that we can win this year."
Zidane is though expected to name a much-changed side for the first leg of the last-32 tie with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos among those afforded a day off from training on Tuesday.
Fuenlabrada vs Real Madrid live online: betting odds
A win for the home side this evening (a shock win even) pays out at a price of 22/1.
Bet here (responsibly) on Fuenlabrada vs Real Madrid
