Saturday's final fourth-round Copa del Rey clash pitted Olimpic de Xativa against Real Madrid.
An uneventful opening 45 minutes failed to produce a clear chance for either side as Madrid struggled for invention against the Segunda B side.
The away side improved in the second half, but could not make the breakthrough as Olimpic held on for a famous draw against Los Blancos.
Read how the first leg unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our Copa del Rey action for the evening concludes at the Estadio La Murta as Olimpic de Xativa welcome Real Madrid for the first leg of their last-32 clash. As mentioned, the home side currently sit sixth in the Segunda B after 16 matches. What’s more, they have lost just one of their last eight matches in all competitions.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are unbeaten in all competitions since losing to Barcelona at the end of October. Both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have dropped points during that period, meaning that Carlo Ancelotti’s side are now just three points off the top of the La Liga table. Cup success will also be on the agenda for the Italian this season.
The home side have enjoyed ninth and fifth-place finishes in each of their last two seasons in Segunda B, but will be hopeful of promotion this time around. Success in the Copa del Rey will be tougher this season, however, after being drawn against a side that has won La Liga 32 times and the Copa del Rey on 18 occasions.
TEAMS:
OLIMPIC: Francis; Pepin, Vicente, Kike, Peris; Belda, Samu, Jordi, Rifaterra; Mosquera, Perales
REAL MADRID: Casillas; Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Arbeloa; Illarramendi, Casemiro; Di Maria, Isco, Jese; Morata
So there we have it. Olimpic have 10 Spaniards in their starting side this evening with Colombian forward Mosquera the only exception. Christian Perales will lead the line for the home side. Real Madrid, meanwhile, ring the changes with squad players Nacho, Casemiro, Jese and Alvaro Morata all starting. Right, the home side get this Copa del Rey fourth-round tie underway.
It will come as no surprise that it is a full house inside the stadium this evening. Wonderful atmosphere as Olimpic attempt to pull off what would be their biggest ever result. As expected, the away side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes with Isco and Casemiro enjoying early touches.
In truth, it is an incredible ask for Olimpic to beat Real Madrid over two legs, but a positive result this evening could do wonders for their league season. The confidence gained would be incredible. Olimpic have a penalty shout as Perales goes down inside the box under pressure from Carvajal, but the referee is not interested. I have certainly seen them given.
The pressure continues from the home side as Perales stretches Ramos once more, but Nacho is across on the cover at the vital moment. It is imperative that Olimpic start positively and that has been the case inside six minutes. A corner arrives for the home side moments later, but Casillas, who skippers Madrid this evening, comes to collect.
You could be forgiven for thinking that Real Madrid were in white this evening as Olimpic continue to impress with possession inside the La Liga side's half. You just get the feeling that Olimpic need to take the lead if they are to secure a positive result this evening. Not too much from Real Madrid thus far aside from some tidy possession inside the Olimpic half.
Again it's bright work from the home side as Samu collects possession down the right before delivering a dangerous cross into the Real Madrid box, but Rifaterra cannot connect. Perales delivers a cross towards Belda in the next attack, but the offside flag is raised. Extremely positive from Olimpic with 11 minutes on the clock in this Copa del Rey clash.
Olimpic can be pleased with the opening 13 minutes of football this evening. The home side have had more of the ball and have restricted their opponents to little in the final third. Carlo Ancelotti is not best pleased with what he has seen from his side, however, as he parades the touchline. Still goalless with 13 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of some slack passing in the final third. Real Madrid enjoy a period of strong possession moments later before Isco finds Jese just outside the box, but the move breaks down when Mendoza challenges Morata - fairly in the opinion of the referee.
The referee has been called into action on a number of occasions as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. Perales attempts to force the issue for Olimpic as he slides a low pass towards Samu, but Ramos is across to clear the danger. Still goalless with 17 minutes on the clock in this Copa del Rey fixture.
It must be said that the atmosphere inside the stadium is quite sensational. If Real Madrid expected an easy match this evening, then they would have been mistaken there is no question about that. Olimpic continue to enjoy more of the possession in the Real Madrid half, but Perales is struggling as the isolated forward.
Still no real chances for either side this evening as both continue to struggle in the final third. A nasty clash of heads occurs moments later as Carvajal challenges Belda, but both players return to their feet following a period of treatment. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining. In truth, not too much has happened thus far.
Just a few signs that Real Madrid are starting to get to grips with their task as Di Maria delivers a dangerous cross into the Olimpic box, but Pepin is on hand to clear under pressure from Morata. It would be a surprise if the away side were not comfortable winners in this type of fixture.
Real Madrid are really lacking a spark at the moment with the likes of Jese, Morata and Isco struggling to influence proceedings in the opening 26 minutes of football. Olimpic have been neat and tidy on the ball, but are also struggling to create chances with Perales their lone striker. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining on this mild evening in Spain.
Finally a half-chance arrives for Real Madrid as Casemiro meets a cross from Di Maria, but his header is straight into the arms of Francis for the first save of the evening. That is an indication of the type of match that has occurred thus far. The away side continue to look for the high ball, but Peris and Kike have been solid defensively for Olimpic.
Half-chance for Di Maria this time as the Argentine collects possession outside the box, but his effort is wide of the post. Olimpic have restricted their opponents to very little thus far. The home side gain a free kick in an advanced area moments later, but Belda's delivery is cleared by Ramos, before Di Maria handles outside the area.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Perales meets a corner from Samu, but his header drops wide of the post. Rifaterra clashes with Casemiro moments later as Olimpic gain another free kick. Untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments as the referee continues to be called into action. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Real Madrid continue to struggle in the final third as Morata's pass goes straight to Francis in the Olimpic goal. In truth, it has been a really poor first half. You would not believe that this was the famous Real Madrid if you were watching for the first time. Still no real chances for either side after 35 minutes.
Di Maria again tries his luck as he strikes one from outside the box, but Peris is across to make the block. Morata collects the loose ball inside the box, but is penalised for a foul. Jese looks the most likely for Real Madrid as he continues to embark on mazy runs, but chances have been at a premium. Can Olimpic go into the interval on terms?
Well, 40 minutes on the clock and we are still waiting for the first real chance of this match. It would be no exaggeration to say that Olimpic have been extremely comfortable. Isco attempts to roll one through for Jese moments later, but Pepin is across to clear the danger. Olimpic have a free kick down the other end moments later as Samu is felled by Morata.
The referee continues to be called into action as the challenges fly in from both sides. It has been better from Real Madrid in the last couple of minutes, but they are still really struggling to force the issue in the final third. Even Isco's dancing feet cannot evade the challenge of Peris, who has been impressive.
A free kick arrives for Real Madrid as Isco is felled down the left, but his cross is headed clear by Rifaterra. The temperature has dropped in the last 10 minutes or so, but the atmosphere inside the stadium remains. I shouldn't think that there will be too much injury time at the end of the first period. Still goalless.
HALF TIME: Olimpic 0-0 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides entering the interval on terms. In truth, it has been just about as poor as you could possibly imagine from Real Madrid. There has not been a single change of note in the opening 45 minutes. Credit to Olimpic, but questions must be asked of the away side.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have attacking options on their bench in the shape of Vasquero and Pifarre. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have the likes of Karim Benzema and Luka Modric on their five-man bench. I suspect that Carlo Ancelotti will not be best pleased with what he has seen from his side thus far.
COPA DEL REY FULL-TIMES: Sant Andreu 0-4 Atletico Madrid, Girona 1-1 Getafe, Celta Vigo 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
COPA DEL REY HALF-TIMES: Huelva 0-0 Levante, Olimpic 0-0 Real Madrid
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come later in the month. Regardless of this result, Real Madrid will remain the overwhelming favourites. Right, the away side get the second period underway.
One change for Real Madrid at the interval as Brazilian left-back Marcelo replaces Arbeloa, who struggled for invention in the first period. If the away side can score early in the half, then you would fancy them to score two or three. No changes for Olimpic, which is not much of a surprise based on their positive performance in the first 45 minutes. Surely this half will bring goals.
Not too much to report in the opening five minutes of the second half, which was the case for the entirety of the first period. It would not be a surprise to see Karim Benzema if the tempo remains the same in the next 10 minutes or so. This is the type of match where the likes of Jese, Morata and Casemiro should be impressing, but that has not been the case thus far.
Plenty of intensity from the home side as they continue to fly into challenges, but they have been unable to create a chance of note thus far. The pressure remains as Peris delivers a cross into the Real Madrid box, but Ramos is on hand to clear. The away side break moments later, but Di Maria's cross is cleared.
Possession football from Real Madrid in the last couple of moments as they control the ball in the Olimpic half, but another attack breaks down when Marcelo loses control under pressure. I am struggling to remember the last time Real Madrid were this poor. Little over 35 minutes of this first leg remaining and still we await the first goal or indeed real chance.
CHANCE! The game's first real chance arrives after 57 minutes as Isco collects a Di Maria cross before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide of the post. The away side make their second change moments later as Benzema replaces Di Maria, who has been very poor this evening.
Just a few signs that Real Madrid are starting to warm to their task with Olimpic struggling to keep possession of the ball. Interesting reaction from Di Maria to being replaced as the Argentine storms down the tunnel. The winger has been linked with a move to Monaco in January, with Radamel Falcao possibly moving in the opposite direction.
For all Olimpic's work-rate and desire, they have not looked capable of opening the scoring this evening. However, it would be an incredible result if they could secure a goalless draw against Real Madrid. Carvajal is down the right for the away side moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Francis.
CHANCE! Isco again comes close for the away side as the Spaniard curls an effort towards the bottom corner, but Francis is across to make a fine save. Benzema has an effort from the resulting corner, but he strikes high and wide of the crossbar.
Another half-chance for the away side as Isco finds Morata inside the box, but the Spaniard can only curl his effort wide of the post. The pressure is starting to build as Real Madrid continue to find space outside the box, but they cannot find the back of the net. Little under 25 minutes of football remaining.
The home side make their first change as Pau Franch replaces Christian Perales. Not too much for the Olimpic supporters to get excited about in terms of attacking football, but their side continues to hold Real Madrid with little more than 20 minutes remaining. Surely the away side will break the deadlock.
Half-chance for the home side as Pepin strikes one on the half-volley, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Rifaterra has possession just outside the Real Madrid box moments later, but his cross goes out for a throw and the away side can restart once more.
I expected Real Madrid to win by four this evening, and that was being kind to Olimpic. However, they have really struggled against a well-organised team. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments as attack after attack breaks down. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.
Half-chance for Real Madrid as Jese collects possession outside the box, but his effort is just wide of the post. That has been the story of the second period for the away side. Carlo Ancelotti makes his final move moments later as Luka Modric replaces Isco. Can the Croatian inspire his team?
Another half-chance for Real Madrid as Modric finds Morata at the far post, but the Spaniard cannot make proper contact. The home side make their second change of the match moments later as the skipper Rifaterra is replaced by Alex Vaquero. Still goalless with little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come at the Bernabeu, but this would be a famous result for Olimpic. The home side look forward as Samu delivers into the Real Madrid box, but Casillas comes to collect under pressure from Belda. Can Real Madrid secure a first-leg advantage in the final stages?
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Real Madrid as Jese finds Benzema inside the box, but the Frenchman can only poke his effort wide of the post. Poor finish from the former Lyon forward. Olimpic break down the other end with Jordi, but the attack comes to nothing as Ramos clears.
The home side make their third and final change of the evening as Carlos Pifarre replaces Marenya. Both managers have played all their cards as we enter the latter stages. Marcelo takes matters into his own hands for Real Madrid moments later, but the left-back's effort is blocked by Pepin at the final moment. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining.
You can feel the tension inside the stadium as Real Madrid continue to keep possession in the Olimpic half. Morata combines with Benzema moments later before sliding a pass towards Modric, but once more Peris is across to clear the danger. Little over three minutes of normal time remaining. This would be Olimpic's most famous result there is no question about that.
Another half-chance for the away side as Ramos meets a free kick from Modric, but his effort is wide of the post. Francis takes his time with the goal kick as the minutes continue to drift away in this Copa del Rey clash. I shouldn't think that there will be too much time added at the end of the 90.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes due to a couple of stoppages towards the end of the 90. We are indeed into the second minute and Olimpic have possession. They are minutes away from holding Real Madrid.
Marcelo attempts to force the issue for the away side as he delivers a deep cross into the box, but Francis comes to collect. Real Madrid continue to dominate possession, but another attack comes to an end when Ramos fires wide of the post. That should be just about that for this one.
FULL TIME: Olimpic 0-0 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Incredible night of Copa del Rey football as Olimpic hold Real Madrid to a goalless draw. Los Blancos will still be overwhelming favourites to advance from the second leg, but they really struggled against the Segunda B side this evening. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for more Copa del Rey football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
