Late Winner Saves Madrid's Blushes
Real Madrid netted a late, late winner to only just avoid a stunning Copa del Rey defeat against Spanish league minnows Alicante depsite fielding a strong team.
Bernd Schuster was wary of being the victims of an upset in the first game back after the festive break and fielded several first team players.
After drawing the opening game, in which they scored a last minute equaliser, Madrid scraped through in the Bernabéu as Guti hit the decisive goal in second half injury time.
With Sergio Ramos and Gabriel Heinze lining up in the centre of defence, Fernando Gago partnered Guti in midfield, with Gonzalo Higuaín, Arjen Robben and Roberto Soldado also in the side.
Alicante were reserved about their chances and were just relishing the prospect of playing in the famous home of their opponents, but refused to be over-awed.
The Segunda B outfit looked to cause a surprise right from the start as Borja registered the first shot of night, before Higuaín tested Ricardo at the other end.
Joan Tomás then had two more opportunities and the impressive Cañadas also looked to trouble Jerzy Dudek as Alicante continued to cause problems.
Madrid began to resume control and after Soldado had gone close the home side took the lead on the half hour mark as Robben fired home with his left foot after being picked out by Higuaín.
Although it Schuster's team that looked the more controlled, they were having the same problems that they endured in the first game as Cañadas and company continued to find space going forward.
Despite that, Madrid were not prepared for the shock that they were given in the 65th minute as Borja levelled matters and scored the away goal that his side needed.
After being stunned, Los Merengues came back and laid siege to the Alicante goal, but the packed away team defence was proving difficult to break down.
The game was heading for extra time when one moment of fluidity allowed Robben to find Guti and the midfielder tucked in a winner to end Alicante's hopes.