The last-32 stage of Spain's King's Cup is usually a series of forgotten fixtures that are watched by sparse crowds and conjure predictable results.
Struggling Villarreal's failure to overcome 10-man third-tier side Puertollano was utterly predictable because the Yellow Submarines have forgotten how to win games and other Primera Liga leading lights like Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia all enjoyed first- leg away victories at lower division opponents.
Real Madrid were expected to do the same at third level Alcorcon. Club president Florentino Perez wants Madrid to have more box office appeal, but he did not have humiliating 4-0 defeats in mind. Madrid fielded a strong side full of internationals and the defeat has dominated the Spanish media this week, creating the types of negative headlines Madrid could do without.
One newspaper said that coach Manuel Pellegrini should not remain in charge for "10 seconds more", espousing the type of knee jerk reaction which has been at the root of Madrid's recent problems. Perez claims that coach Pellegrini needs "time and calm" to succeed, sensibly adding: "The season is only two months old and we are still trying to create a team."
Madrid's players seem equally sanguine.
"I thought what happened was a bad dream," said Madrid's Dutch midfielder Royston Drenthe, "but we must look ahead. We were all concentrating deeply before the match kicked off, but I don't know what happened after they scored their first goal. We'll have to do differently in our next game because if not things will get really complicated for us.
"I can't believe it happened, but it's in the past now and we will have to show people we are Real Madrid against Getafe. Every player on this team wants to be successful and to play quality football."
Another humiliating result will add to the pressure on Pellegrini, but Drenthe is adamant that the right man is in charge.
"The coach does a good job," he stressed. "He is clear on what he wants. It's our problem and he is very serious about what happened."
Cristiano Ronaldo is still injured, though an MRI scan on Thursday showed that his ligament injury is healing and he will face further examination and is expected to return in three weeks. His side have missed him sorely, but Ronaldo remains optimistic.
"I am not a saviour," he said. "I am just a player who wants to recover to help his team. I am anxious to play, it's what I love. I know I need to be at 100 per cent before returning. I will undergo another test next week and continue training to be where I was before I got injured. I cannot wait to play.
"Every defeat hurts, but the team has already recovered. What happened is already history. We need to keeps our heads held high and to focus on the next match. I am confident that we can compete for all three titles."
Second-placed Madrid hope for a return to form tonight against neighbours Getafe, who sit in eighth. The last time the pair met, the game ended in disgraceful scenes as defender Pepe was sent off and banned for 10 games for a hysterical outburst.
Madrid's main league rivals are also in action tonight. Leaders Barcelona travel to Osasuna, boosted by the news that Mexican defender Rafael Marquez is about to extend his contract.
Osasuna's greatest threat is veteran striker Walter Pandiani, who has scored in five of their eight league games, but the league leaders will be confident of maintaining heir unbeaten start.
Xerez hope to continue their much improved form which has seen them move off the bottom of the table against Andalusian neighbours Sevilla, who are third.
Athletic Bilbao host Atletico Madrid, with both teams desperate for an upturn in fortunes.
After winning their first three games, Athletic have picked up just one point from five matches. Atletico are 17th, with just one win all season - and a new coach because of their poor form.
Results matter in Spain's capital, as Pellegrini knows too well.
amitten@thenational.ae
The%20stats%20and%20facts
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
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Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Date: Sunday, November 25
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
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Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
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Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
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The Book of Collateral Damage
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(Yale University Press)
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