Alcoyano – Real Madrid Preview: Los Blancos aim to avoid Copa del Rey upset

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has no new injury concerns ahead of Wednesday’s Copa del Rey tie against Alcoyano.

The Portuguese coach is likely to rest several of his first-team players for the match, meaning there could be starting berths for Alvaro Morata, Jose Callejon, Kaka, Nacho, Raul Albiol and Antonio Adan.

Sami Khedira, Alvaro Arbeloa, Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao all remain sidelined through injury.

Alcoyano, who are 41 league places below their opponents in the Segunda B, will name their strongest line-up for what is arguably the biggest match in the club’s recent history.

  • The Valencian club’s last defeat came just over a month ago against Levante’s reserve team.
  • Alcoyano last featured in Spanish football’s top tier in the 1950-51 season.
  • Real Madrid have won just three of their eight competitive away fixtures to date this season (W3, D1, L4).
  • Los Blancos last exited the Copa del Rey at this stage in the 2009-10 season, when they were beaten 4-1 over two legs by third-tier outfit Alcorcon.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured, right) has scored 12 goals in his last six matches for Real across all competitions.

Callejon: I will defend Real Madrid badge to the death

Jose Callejon has insisted that he will always give his all for Real Madrid as the Blancos have been his favourite team ever since he was a child.

The 25-year-old attacker is a product of the Madrid youth academy, but lived in Barcelona for three years during his time at Espanyol. However, Callejon never stopped supporting his boyhood club.

“I always say the same thing: I am a Madrid fan and I will defend this badge until the death because it’s the club I love the most,” Callejon told Bwin.

“I have always been a Madrid supporter. Ever since I was little I have followed Madrid. I grew up in the youth team and I have been fortunate enough to be able to return to the first team.

“These colours mean a lot to me and I will always give everything to defend this badge.”

He then went on to dismiss rumours that the relationship between a number of Madrid players has turned sour.

“The dressing room is united and we all have a lot of faith in every player in the team. It’s crucial that we all trust in ourselves and each other.” 

Madrid are currently preparing for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey clash against Alcoyano.

Lionel Messi 8/13 favourite ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo for Ballon d'Or crown

Despite a shortlist being announced, it appears the bookmakers believe the award of the 2012 Fifa Ballon d’Or is already a three horse race.

Three Liga superstars lead the way, with Lionel Messi the odds-on favourite at 8/13 (1.62) to collect the award for a fourth consecutive season .


Cristiano Ronaldo is seen as one of the two legitimate candidates that could challenge Messi, with the Real Madrid man having finished second behind the Argentine in both 2011 and 2009. Ronaldo is available at 5/2 (3.50) with the same firm.

Andres Iniesta is a 5/1 (6.0) chance and following that, the likes of Andrea Pirlo (50/1), Iker Casillas (66/1) and Xavi (66/1) are deemed long-shot outsiders.

Messi scored 73 goals in all competitions in the 2011-12 season, as Barcelona finished runners-up behind Real Madrid, with Ronaldo playing an important role in the victory and scoring an impressive 60 goals for his club in all competitions.

His contribution to Los Blancos‘ title winning season, and pivotal role in Portugal’s Euro 2012 campaign, could make this the 27-year-old’s best chance to win the award since he did so in 2008 and punters could profit from the 5/2 (3.50) quote.

Iniesta finished second behind his Barcelona team-mate in 2010, during Spain’s World Cup winning year, and the defence of their European crown in Poland and Ukraine this summer sees him rated as the only other player who has a realistic chance of winning the award at 5/1 (6.0).

Once again though, it looks to be a choice between the two players that have dominated the top places in recent years.

Messi and Ronaldo have finished in first and second in three of the last four seasons and despite an impressive year for Iniesta, it seems unlikely that the 28-year-old midfielder will stop that statistic being extended.

The three finalists will be announced on November 29th in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The final show will take place on January 7th in Zurich, Switzerland.

Sign up for £250 in free bets and back your selection for the Ballon d’Or

Jim Knight is Betting Editor at Goal.com and has been tipping football games since he was old enough to place a bet. He is a Leicester City fan, writer and member of the We Are Going Up Podcast

Follow Jim on

Gullit: People criticise Cristiano Ronaldo because they are jealous

Ruud Gullit thinks that people criticise Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo because they are jealous of him.

The Portugal international often gets a hostile reception at away games, while has has also been targeted by a number of opponents throughout his career.

Gullit, however, has nothing but praise for the 27-year-old and compared his situation to another former Manchester United star.

“I think Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenon. The same thing happens to him as it did to [David] Beckham; people criticise them because they are envious that they’re very good-looking,” Gullit said to ESPN.

“For me, he’s the ideal player. He’s fast, tall, is good with his head, is technically good, shoots penalties, takes good free kicks and he’s a leader.

“I think that Real Madrid love having Cristiano Ronaldo as a player.”

Ronaldo has netted 18 goals in 14 appearances for Real Madrid so far this term.

Cristiano Ronaldo needs to show more humility, says Caparros

Joaquin Caparros has criticised Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo in the wake of his side’s 5-0 Liga defeat to the reigning champions on Sunday, as he feels the forward showed a lack of respect.

The Portugal international angered Mallorca fans by cupping his hand to his ear after scoring, and Caparros was not impressed by the former Manchester United star’s behaviour.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has it all as a footballer, but he must show a lot more humility and a lot more ambition in other areas,” Caparros said to Punto Pelota.

“His statistics are proof of what he can do, but he throws it all away with his behaviour.

“It would not surprise me if he doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or. It’s not just about footballing qualities, but a sum of a number of values. It’s the sum of a lot of things on and off the pitch.”

The shortlist for the Fifa Ballon d’Or will be revealed later on Monday.