Pellegrini shrugs off cup shock

Coach Manuel Pellegrini remains confident this will be a good season for Real Madrid despite their embarrassing Copa del Rey exit at the hands of minnows Alcorcon.

Seeking to overturn their humiliating 4-0 first-leg loss against their third tier neighbours from just south of the capital, Madrid could only manage a 1-0 victory in Wednesday night's return meeting at a full Bernabeu. Madrid had plenty of efforts on the Alcorcon goal but the only time they could beat visiting custodian Juanma was when substitute Rafael van der Vaart rifled home from the edge of the box nine minutes from time.

"Everyone can made their own judgments, we were knocked out by a team from the Segunda B, we can feel regret, but it's already over," he said.

"I have no doubt that the players are with me. It's difficult to overcome a 4-0 deficit because you are playing against many factors. I would've liked to continue (in the cup) but we are at the start of a season that I'm sure is going to be very good."

Pellegrini put out strong sides for both legs of the tie and last night employed four forwards - Raul, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka - from the outset.

It was not enough, even though both Van Nistelrooy and Higuain hit the Alcorcon crossbar and a number of efforts were kept out by the busy Juanma, but Pellegrini insists he was happy with the side he selected for the clash.

"I don't regret the line-up," he continued. "I think they were the players who had to play. I've said it from the start: I have faith in the whole squad, not just in a team."