All eyes are on Pellegrini after 4-0 defeat

The Segunda B side, from a satellite town to the south of Madrid, tore apart their near neighbours and could have won by a larger margin as they condemned the nine-times European champions to a third defeat in five outings on Tuesday.

"Go now!" sports daily Marca blared on Wednesday's front page, alongside a photograph of a shattered-looking Pellegrini.

Madrid-based AS led with "Ridicule of the century" while Barcelona-based Sport wrote: "This is the beginning of the end for Pellegrini."

After the game, Real's Chilean coach brushed away questions over whether he would consider resigning and club director general Jorge Valdano said it was important everyone stood together.

Team captain Raul echoed Valdano's calls.

"We win and we lose together so absolutely everyone is to blame," the striker said. "The display we put on isn't the one the club deserves, or one that sits well with our history. We ask for forgiveness and remind people the tie isn't over yet.

"If there is a club that knows about comebacks it is Real Madrid."

Daily El Mundo spread the blame beyond Pellegrini and questioned the motivation of Real's players saying: "None of them were able to replicate the exceptional work of Alcorcon: the commitment, the pressuring, the pace and the goals.

"Alcorcon showed all the properties a fan would want to see in their team."

The return leg is at the Bernabeu in two weeks and Alcorcon coach Juan Antonio Anquela - who was being dubbed 'Anqueloti' in the media - fought to keep the result in perspective while fans celebrated on the pitch outside.

"We haven't achieved anything yet. Real are capable of putting five past anyone," he said.

Pellegrini does not have the luxury of time to put things right. He faces a flurry of high-profile matches before trying to prevent a second consecutive Cup exit to a Segunda B side in the Cup.

Real were embarrassed by Real Union in the last season's competition.

He has a second city derby at home to Getafe in La Liga on Saturday, a trip to Milan in the Champions League next Tuesday, and then a third local derby at Atletico Madrid in the league.

Pellegrini Press Conference

During Tuesday's pre-match press conference, Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini pointed out that Alcorcon is a good team that will put up a tough fight.

Is the Copa del Rey an objective for the team?
Real Madrid's goal is to win every competition. It is important to at least make an effort. We also have the league and Champions League to play for, but that isn't a reason to let the Copa fall by the wayside. It will be a more attractive competition the longer it wears on. But our first goal is to qualify for the Last 16.

This competition usually sees the participation of a lot of youth teamers, but that isn't the case now.
We cannot let our guard down. If I didn't call up academy players it is because I want the most gelled squad possible. We need fulfill our objectives, which right now are the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

What do you expect from Alcorcon? Have you studied the team?
We went to see their recent matches. They are a good team that was nearly promoted last season. The only difference nowadays is the motivation factor. They will be highly motivated, so I hope Madrid knows how to counter.

How is Cristiano Ronaldo's ankle? How is his recovery going?
He is recovering as expected. I think he will undergo another tests tomorrow, but the doctors have the final say.

How are Garay and Benzema? Are they ready to play?
Garay is perfect and Benzema sustained a knock against Milan, but nothing to worry about.

Did the fact that you announced the squad list last night upset the players?
There is no uneasiness. I have not met with the captains and they have not expressed this supposed uneasiness. We get bored by having to play at ten at night, but it is necessary when you are participating in a competition. Today is a long day, but I think the team is committed. Perhaps some players don't agree, but they aren't upset.

Pellegrini to coach Real Madrid

Villarreal has reached an agreement that will allow coach Manuel Pellegrini to take over at Real Madrid, news reports said Monday.

Club manager Jose Manuel Llaneza told the national news agency Efe that contacts were made and "as is logical between two clubs that get on, an agreement was reached."

Pellegrini would replace Juande Ramos, who took over at Real Madrid midseason after Bernd Schuster was fired.

On Saturday, the Chilean said he had not had any contact with Real Madrid over a potential move to the club.

A spokeswoman for Villarreal said there had been contacts with Real Madrid but insisted there was no official confirmation of the deal.

Pellegrini has transformed Villarreal since arriving in 2004. The club finished fifth in La Liga this season, clinching a place in next season's Europa League, formerly the UEFA Cup.

Madrid finished second to Barcelona and was eliminated in the first knockout stage of the Champions League for the fifth straight season.

Recent reports have said incoming Real Madrid president Florentino Perez plans to present Pellegrini on Tuesday and Milan's Kaka as the club's new star player Thursday.

Perez was due to be confirmed as club president later Monday. He is the only candidate for elections that had been scheduled to be held on June 14.