As expected, Karim Benzema comes back into the team in place of Gonzalo Higuain, while Ricardo Carvalho replaces the suspended Sergio Ramos in the centre of defence.

The Portuguese coach has opted for Esteban Granero in the centre of midfield in place of Lassana Diarra, as the versatile Hamit Altinop starts at right-back.

Manolo Jimenez has chosen Carlos Aranda up front instead of Helder Postiga, the club’s top scorer in La Liga this season with four goals.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Altintop, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo; Granero, Xabi Alonso; Ozil, Kaka, Ronaldo; Benzema

Real Zaragoza (4-4-1-1): Roberto; Obradovic, Lanzaro, Da Silva, Paredes; Dujmovic, Apono, Micael, Lafita; Luis Garcia; Aranda

（Goal.com）

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Karim Benzema & Ricardo Carvalho both return for Real Madrid is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News

The Santiago Bernabeu club drew level through Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema after going behind to goals from Pedro and Dani Alves, but they could not beat Jose Pinto a third time.

The result means that Jose Mourinho’s side are unable to defend their Copa del Rey title after their 2-1 defeat in the first leg, but Pepe believes that the Madrid faithful should be happy with the display.

“We showed the true ‘Madridista’ spirit, the spirit of a great group,” he said after the game. “Today, we were very superior to Barca. We are proud of what we did and of what we have. The fans are also proud.”

Pepe escaped punishment for his stamp on Lionel Messi in the first leg, but he did not wish the comment on his controversial action in last week’s match.

“I will only talk about football,” the Portuguese continued. “But I hope that this week everything that happened during this match will be debated.”

Barcelona will now face either Levante or Valencia in the semi-final of the competition.

（Goal.com）

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Mourinho’s men came back from a two-goal deficit at Camp Nou to draw 2-2 on the night, but were eliminated courtesy of their 2-1 defeat at the Bernabeu in the first leg.

Speaking in the wake of his side’s 4-3 aggregate exit, the Portuguese hinted that his team went into the game expecting to go out of the competition, likely alluding to refereeing decisions.

“I heard in the changing room that it is impossible to win here,” he told the media after the match, and when pressed for a reason why the players had thought in such a way, he added: “Just ask them.”

Sergio Ramos had a goal chalked off for a push on Dani Alves and went on to pick up a second booking in the dying minutes of the tie, but Mourinho refused to be drawn into criticising the match officials.

“I will not speak about the referee. We came with the hope of getting through. We knew it was very difficult, but we came with the hope of achieving it.” he affirmed.

However, the Blancos boss went on to say that he had become used to suffering similar blows during clashes against Barcelona in his career, concluding: “I played here with Chelsea, with Inter, and with Real Madrid in the Champions League. This is a familiar situation to me.”

Barcelona will face the winner of tomorrow’s clash between Valencia and Levante in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

（Goal.com）

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Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho after Barcelona clash: I heard in the changing room that it was impossible to win at Camp Nou is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News

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【VIDEO】Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid 25/1/2012 is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News