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The head coach of Madrid, Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, stated that his players will prove their worth during Saturday's match against Bilbao Athletic after a shameful 6-1 defeat to Zaragoza in the Copa del Rey semi-final.
The loss on Wednesday ended Real's seven-game winning streak and was the most painful defeat for the Royal club in seven years.
"If the players couldn't overcome such pitfalls, they wouldn't be where they are today," said the Real strategist at a press conference on Friday. "I have complete confidence in them and am convinced that in the match against Athletic Bilbao, we will see the Real Madrid that we have been accustomed to seeing in recent matches."
Earlier, J.R. Lopez Caro told radio station "Onda Cero" that he takes the blame for such a shameful loss by Real.
"I am the most guilty of the defeat, because I make the decisions. I hope that all people criticize me, not the players," said the coach.
However, even though 89 percent of the readers of the Spanish sports daily "Marca" in a survey published on Friday blamed the players the most for the thrashing.
In the match in Bilbao on Saturday, the English national team captain will not be playing, as the coach allowed him to rest due to back pain. Also missing this weekend will be injured defenders Ivan Helguera and Alvaro Mejia, while defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Cicinho will return to the Real lineup.
