Athletic

Madrid has two fiestas, San Isidro and the Paloma. In the 1950s and 1960s there was another, the final of the Copa del Rey: always played here, and almost always with Athletic.

The final whistle blew and the players hugged each other, satisfied with their night's work and safe in the knowledge they had done all that could be asked of them...

San Mamés will open its gates to welcome Madrid, amounting to an evening of excitement and emotion. For time immemorial nothing has stoked up San Mamés quite like Real Madrid coming to town.

Saturday's game in Valladolid has become a prickly matter for LaLiga right at a time when their aspirations are to take their product overseas in attempt to increase international awareness for the domestic game