Del Bosque spies on cup rivals

Real coach Vicente Del Bosque was in Cuenca yesterday taking notes on next week's Copa del Rey rivals Lanzarote, who crashed 3-1 to Conquense.

Del Bosque may have to wait until next Sunday to view the real Lanzarote in action as five of their star players were absent at the weekend, but they are sure to be back for the forthcoming match against Talavera.

Nevertheless, the Real chief saw enough to have a good idea of what his side will face when they travel to the Canary Islands for the second-round cup clash on November 28.

"They left me with a very good impression," Del Bosque said on leaving the VIP box after the game.

Generally speaking, the Copa is not taken too seriously in Spain but Real have a good incentive to reach the final this year as it will be held at their ground, the Santiago Bernabeu, on March 6 - the date of the club's 100th birthday.