Real Madrid faces minnow in Copa del Rey

Real Madrid faces minnow in Copa del Rey

Published Oct. 14, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

Holders Real Madrid have been drawn against Segunda Division B side Ponferradina in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey.

Madrid were famously knocked out by third-tier sides in successive years at this same stage of the competition in 2009 and 2010, losing to Real Union and Alcorcon, before bouncing back to win the cup last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo's extra-time goal saw Madrid beat Barcelona 1-0 in the final to earn their 18th Copa del Rey crown but first since 1993. It was also the first piece of silverware for Madrid under Jose Mourinho.

Ponferradina, having been relegated from the second division last season, are currently fourth in Spain's Segunda Division B Group 2 - the same level of competition that Madrid's reserve team play at.

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Ponferradina president Jose Fernandez, who is a Madrid member, was quoted as saying on the Madrid website: "This is something to be proud of and we are. It's the opponent that we wanted and we've got them. To see Jose Mourinho's team play at Ponferrada is double reason to be happy."

Barca, who boast a record 25 Copa del Rey crowns following their success in 2009, are also facing third-tier opposition in their two-legged last-32 tie in the form of L'Hospitalet, who are in Segunda Division B Group 3.

In selected other matches, 2010 winners Sevilla face San Roque de Lepe, 23-times Copa champions Athletic Bilbao take on Real Oviedo, Valencia meet Cadiz and Villarreal face Mirandes.

Alcorcon, who inflicted on Madrid one of the most humiliating defeats in their illustrious history when in the season before last they beat their neighbours 4-0 in the first leg of their last-32 tie en route to a 4-1 aggregate victory, take on top-flight Real Zaragoza.

In four all-Primera Division encounters, Racing Santander face Rayo Vallecano, Getafe take on Malaga, Real Sociedad meet Granada and Real Mallorca were paired with Sporting Gijon.

The first leg of the matches will be played between December 9-13, with the return legs scheduled for December 21.

Full draw:

Cadiz v Valencia

L'Hospitalet v Barcelona

Ponferradina v Real Madrid

Mirandas v Villarreal

San Roque de Lepe v Sevilla

Albacete v Atletico Madrid

Real Oviedo v Athletic Bilbao

Almeria v Osasuna

Alcorcon v Real Zaragoza

Celta de Vigo v Espanyol

Cordoba v Real Betis

Deportivo La Coruna v Levante

Real Mallorca v Sporting Gijon

Racing Santander v Rayo Vallecano

Getafe v Malaga

Real Sociedad v Granada

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