Real downs Valencia, moves closer to King’s Cup semis
17 Jan 2013 1:18 AM GMT
Real Madrid were on course for a place in the King’s Cup semifinals after securing a 2-0 first-leg victory over Valencia at the Bernabeu on Tuesday. Karim Benzema scored just before the break and an own-goal from Andres Guardado in the 74th minute gave Jose Mourinho’s side the advantage in the quarterfinal ahead of next week’s return at the Mestalla.
Holders Barcelona are at home to Malaga on Wednesday, when Real Zaragoza play Sevilla, and the other last-eight first leg is on Thursday when Atletico Madrid receive Real Betis.
After a recent poor run of form, Mourinho’s name once again was met with a mixture of whistles and applause before kickoff as he took charge of the 600th top-flight match of his career. Brazil full back Marcelo was back in the side after almost three months out with a foot injury but first-choice centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Pepe were missing through suspension and injury respectively.
Luka Modric fluffed an early chance for the hosts and Iker Casillas pulled off a great reflex save to deny Jonas. As so often happens with Real, a close chance at one end turned into a goal at the other, as Michael Essien burst away on a counter-attack. He fed Sami Khedira, who immediately laid off for Benzema and the hosts were 1-0 up in the 37th minute.
Real doubled the lead when Fabio Coentrao’s low cross was turned into the net by a combination of Guardado and Gonzalo Higuain as the two slid in at the near post.
Holders Barcelona are at home to Malaga on Wednesday, when Real Zaragoza play Sevilla, and the other last-eight first leg is on Thursday when Atletico Madrid receive Real Betis.
After a recent poor run of form, Mourinho’s name once again was met with a mixture of whistles and applause before kickoff as he took charge of the 600th top-flight match of his career. Brazil full back Marcelo was back in the side after almost three months out with a foot injury but first-choice centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Pepe were missing through suspension and injury respectively.
Luka Modric fluffed an early chance for the hosts and Iker Casillas pulled off a great reflex save to deny Jonas. As so often happens with Real, a close chance at one end turned into a goal at the other, as Michael Essien burst away on a counter-attack. He fed Sami Khedira, who immediately laid off for Benzema and the hosts were 1-0 up in the 37th minute.
Real doubled the lead when Fabio Coentrao’s low cross was turned into the net by a combination of Guardado and Gonzalo Higuain as the two slid in at the near post.
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