The semi-final picture in the Spanish Cup was completed yesterday (Thursday) after Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao joined Valencia and Rayo Vallecano between the last four.
Unusually none of the big three will be in the standings, which hurts the chances of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona participating in the Super Cup next season.
As you may recall, the two Cup finalists join the champion and her runner-up in the current format of the tournament.
If the Catalans hoped that third place in the league would be enough to get into the Super Cup when Real Madrid advance to the Cup final and release another place, now they will have to finish in second place to find their place in the tournament next season.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are disappointed with the early relegation after losing 1-0 to Athletic Bilbao last night from a dramatic goal by Alex Branger in the 89th minute.
"It hurts a lot because we always want to win, in every game. I don't think there will be any consequences following the loss, I just hope it strengthens us," coach Carlo Ancelotti concluded.
The coach added: "Athletic's pressure was excellent until the 70th minute, I think we would have had an advantage if the game had gone into extra time but they won in the last minute. We should have used Alaba and Casimiro more. It did not go the way we wanted. They pressed Vinicius, "This is not a new thing for us. It was not our weakest game this year, it was considered until the end. I am surprised at how the game ended in the end."
Ancelotti was asked if he was “punishing” certain players who were not given a chance to play like Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard and Luca Jovic who remained on the bench.
"There are no players who have received a penalty from me," the coach replied and continued: "Why don't you ask about Danny Sabaios and Hassos Vayho? They also did not play and are at the same level as the others who did not play. We must be fair."
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