Spanish Roundup

Terrassa still dreaming of Cup upset at the Bernabeu

MADRID (Reuters) -- Second division Terrassa still believe they can cause an upset when they meet Spanish giants Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the second leg of their King's Cup third round clash on Tuesday.

The modest Catalan club, who returned to the second division for the first time in over 20 years this season, sprang a surprise in the first leg when they scored two late goals to earn a 3-3 draw against a shadow Real Madrid side.

Real looked set to take a comfortable lead into the second leg after a double from Guti had put them 3-1 up with just over 20 minutes to go.

But the late intervention of Barcelona-born striker Monty, who grabbed two well-taken goals in the last nine minutes, has kept alive the second division side's dreams of a famous upset.

"We know it is going to be a difficult game," Monty said last week. "But victory for us is not out of the question.

"Of course they are a much stronger side than us, but anything can happen during the course of the game and they will have to work hard if they want to win.

"We are certainly not just going to sit back and try and defend because that would be a recipe for disaster."

Real are likely to field at least a scattering of first team regulars in the second leg but Terrassa's chances could be boosted if coach Vicente del Bosque decides to rest key players ahead of the weekend league derby against Atletico Madrid.

The remaining seven third round second leg matches are being played on Wednesday.

Like last season's losing finalists Real, holders Deportivo Coruna will be clear favorites to make it through to the last eight even if it took a late goal from midfielder Sergio to allow the Galicians to scramble a 1-1 draw in their first leg game at third division Alicante last week.

Atletico Madrid, who produced their best performance of the season to end Deportivo's 10-match unbeaten run in the league with a 3-1 victory on Sunday, have the upper hand in their tie against Xerez.

Luis Aragones' side take a 1-0 lead into the second leg at the Calderon against the second division side who are coached by former Atletico midfielder Bernd Schuster.

Osasuna already appeared to have booked their place in the quarter-finals after their 4-0 first leg win at Real Union de Irun of the third division.

The outcome of the two all-first division ties of the round is still very much in the balance.

The game between Andalucian rivals Real Betis and Recreativo Huelva ended goalless, while Real Mallorca have a slim advantage over Valladolid after emerging from their trip to the mainland with a 2-2 draw.

Valencia defender Torres sidelined by knee injury

VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) -- Valencia defender Curro Torres will be out of action for four to five weeks because of a knee injury, the Spanish first division club said on Monday.

Club doctors said the 26-year-old Spanish international, who was forced to leave the pitch just before halftime during Saturday's 2-2 draw against league leaders Real Sociedad, had damaged a ligament in his right knee.

The injury means the right back will miss Spain's friendly international against Germany next month.

Torres is also likely to be unavailable for Valencia's next Champions League match away to AS Roma on February 18. Valencia, who drew their first two second phase matches, are third in group B, two points behind Ajax and leaders Arsenal.

King's Cup fixtures

    Tuesday, January 14:
 Real Madrid        v  Terrassa (II)             (2030)
 (first leg 3-3)
    Wednesday, January 15:
 Alaves             v  Murcia (II)               (1930)
 (first leg 0-0)
 Atletico Madrid    v  Xerez (II)
 (first leg 1-0)
 Deporitvo Coruna   v  Alicante (III)            (1945)
 (first leg 1-1)
 Osasuna            v  Real Union de Irun (III)  (1930)
 (first leg 4-0)
 Recreativo Huelva  v  Real Betis
 (first leg 0-0)
 Sevilla            v  Numancia (II)
 (first leg 1-1)
 Valladolid         v  Real Mallorca
 (first leg 2-2)

 

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