Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Alcoyano, Zidane defends team saying loss ‘not a disgrace’


Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Alcoyano, Zidane defends team saying loss ‘not a disgrace’
Alcoyano defeats Real Madrid in a shock result


Real Madrid suffered a shock exit in the Copa del Rey as they lost 2-1 to Alcoyano. Alcoyano are a 3rd division Spanish team and played with 10 men in the last 10 minutes of extra time.

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Zidane made 9 changes to his team which lost against Athletic in the Supercopa semifinals. Despite the changes, there were 5 Champions League winners in the starting lineup with Lunin and Chust making their debuts.


Real Madrid made a slow start to the first half despite having most of the possession against Segunda B opposition. Alcoyano sat back and defended for large portions of the half and thwarted the Madrid attack.

Real Madrid vs Alcoyano


Real Madrid finally scored through defender Eder Militao when he headed home from a free kick on the cusp of half time. Jose Solbes scored the equalizer for the hosts in the 80th minute as Madrid failed to build on their lead.

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The match headed into extra time and Alcoyano defender Olivan got sent off for a 2nd yellow card in the 110th minute. Playing with a man down, Alcoyano decided to take the attack to Madrid in the final 10 minutes. Their efforts finally paid off as Juanan Casanova grabbed the winner for the underdogs 5 minutes from full-time.

Zinedine Zidane on the defeat

Zidane took full responsibility for the unexpected loss in his post-match press conference.


We tried. The players gave their all on the pitch.”
“I’m the coach, the responsibility is mine. I’m responsible. We’ve played against a third division team and we should have won but it’s not a disgrace.”
“I’m calm. We will see what happens in the next few days.”It’s another painful day,” he said.
“We are now out of the Copa. It’s a difficult time. But we are not going to go crazy right now. We are going to think and continue to work.”


Zidane is under immense pressure as Real Madrid lost 2 chances of winning a title in the same week. Defeats against Athletic in the Supercup and against Alcoyano have put question marks on his future at Real Madrid.

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