Real Madrid barred from Copa del Rey and other La Liga action
Real Madrid is quickly unraveling at the top

It has been a week long nightmare for Real Madrid.  After seeming to have recovered from their devastating loss to Barcelona over two weeks ago, with consecutive wins in the Champions League and La Liga, the week started out business as usual.

Los Merengues opened play for their domestic cup, the Copa del Rey, against third division club Cádiz on Wednesday. As expected, Madrid won handily 3-1, with Isco slotting home two goals.

However, it would prove to be a controversial win as the man who scored their opening goal, Denis Cheryshev, was actually ineligible. Last season while on loan at Villarreal, the 24-year-old Cheryshev received three yellow cards in the Copa del Rey competition, prompting a one-game suspension.

Apparently Real Madrid was unaware of this fact, and started Cheryshev against Cádiz, fielding an improper lineup. Therefore the 19-time cup champions were expelled from the competition.

With the drubbing in El Clásico still fresh in fans’ minds, this latest debacle was especially embarrassing. Add to it the mishap in submitting the transfer for Spanish international goalkeeper David De Gea in August, and Florentino Perez has been under heavy scrutiny in the Spanish capital. Many have been calling for his resignation, especially after the loss to Barça.

Pérez has said that Real Madrid will appeal their expulsion. Though winning it is doubtful at best.

Saturday Real Madrid bounced back to dominate their neighbors to the south, Getafe, 4-1. Frenchman Karim Benezema – who is immersed in a pool of his own controversies – netted two goals, and the two most expensive players in the world, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo each scored a goal.

Pedro Leon put one past keeper Keylor Navas for Getafe at the 70th minute.

Barcelona stumbled against eighth place Valencia, settling for a 1-1 tie with former England defender and new Valencia manager Gary Neville watching from the stands. Neville was introduced earlier this week and will officially take over Valencia next week.

Barça was in control the entire match, yet only managed one goal thanks to Luis Suarez.

Atletico Madrid maintained their second place position with a 2-0 win against Granada on the road. Defender Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann each scored a goal for Atletí.

Fernando Torres went goaless for the 13th straight match, and is still in search of his 100th goal with the club. 

After the weekend, Barcelona sits atop the table with 34 points. Atletico sits two points behind and Real are four points back in third place.

Photo: Flickr

 

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