Real eliminate Atletico from King's Cup
Reuters - Thursday 20 January 2011, 23:41
MADRID- Real Madrid knocked bitter city
rivals Atletico out of the King's Cup on Thursday with a 1-0 win
at a hostile Calderon to go through to the last four 4-1 on
aggregate.
Cristiano Ronaldo added to his phenomenal tally of goals
this season with a 23rd minute strike to help set up a
semi-final over two legs against holders Sevilla after the
Andalusian club saw off Villarreal on Tuesday.
Passions ran high on a chilly night at the heavily-policed
stadium in the south west of the Spanish capital and the
Atletico supporters aimed ugly chants at Real coach Jose
Mourinho and some of his players.
The visitors, who have not won Spain's domestic cup since
1993, had an early scare when Iker Casillas was caught in
possession by Jose Antonio Reyes, who blocked the Spain
goalkeeper's attempted clearance but could not make the most of
the rebound.
The home side were then rocked by a double blow.
Sergio Ramos was given too much space on the right and
Ronaldo powered into the penalty-area to smash a deflected cross
high into the net.
It was the Portuguese forward's 32nd goal of the season in
all competitions and followed up on his strike in the 3-1 win in
last week's first leg at the Bernabeu.
Reyes then had to leave the pitch due to an ankle injury he
had sustained in an earlier tangle with Alvaro Arbeloa and the
former Arsenal winger, who also had a stint with Real, was
replaced by Diego Costa.
RARELY TROUBLED
The Brazilian striker nearly created an equaliser with his
first foray, cutting inside from the right and sending over a
low cross that just evaded Diego Forlan.
A toothless Atletico, missing injured Argentina forward
Sergio Aguero, rarely troubled Casillas in the second half and
their elimination effectively ends the Europa League champions'
hopes of silverware this season.
"We didn't have any problem tonight," Mourinho said at a
news conference.
"We won the tie without having to run much. We were compact
in defence and we knew from the start they weren't going to get
many chances."
The other semi-final is between 2009 winners Barcelona and
Almeria, the Andalusian club who made it through to the last
four for the first time by knocking out Deportivo La Coruna on
Wednesday.
A depleted Barca lost 3-1 at second-division Real Betis on
Wednesday but went through 6-3 on aggregate.
The first leg of the semi-finals is next week and the return
leg the following week.