Real look to the past for Cup inspiration

Real Madrid are looking to the history books for inspiration as they seek to overturn a humiliating 6-1 defeat by Real Zaragoza and book a place in the final of the King's Cup.

Epic fightbacks have played an important part in the club's glorious past and fans are hoping for another when they host Victor Munoz's side in the second leg of their semi-final at the Bernabeu on Tuesday (kickoff 2000 GMT).

"For the cowards the tie is over but in my view we have a team with enough pride, guts and talent to believe that we can turn it around," Real coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro said after last Wednesday's crushing defeat.

"Just as Zaragoza had a wonderful night, I believe we can have one too."

Real were torn to shreds by Zaragoza's high-speed attacking play, Argentine striker Diego Milito joining the select band of players to score four goals against Real and Brazilian international Ewerthon weighing in with two.

But even though they look to have waved goodbye to their most realistic chance of a trophy this season, Real's past is littered with near miraculous comebacks.

In 1975 they lost 4-0 to Las Palmas in the first leg of a Cup semi-final, but won through to the final with a 5-0 victory in the return and then went on to win the competition.

In 1960 they staged an unlikely comeback when they beat Athletic Bilbao 8-0 after losing the first leg of their semi-final 3-0, while most famously of all they steamrollered arch-rivals Barcelona 11-1 in 1943 in the last 16 after losing 3-0 at Les Corts.

"We would be unworthy of the shirt if we did not believe we could turn this game around," says midfielder Guti.

"We have to give absolutely everything and believe that we can do it. I think the first 20 minutes will be the key and if we can score a couple of goals early on then they might start getting nervous."

Real restored some pride after their defeat when they notched up their fifth league win in a row with a 2-0 victory at struggling Bilbao on Saturday.

Despite the size of their first-leg victory, Zaragoza are determined to take nothing for granted when they visit the Bernabeu.

"I honestly don't believe the tie is over yet," said coach Munoz.

"Madrid are a great team and deserve all the respect in the world. We are optimistic, of course, but we've still got to complete the job."

Espanyol have a narrow 2-1 advantage over Deportivo Coruna in the other semi-final, but the date for the return in Galicia has not yet been set because of problems finding a vacant slot on the calendar.