Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster insists Ruben de la Red's collapse was no excuse for their defeat last night. De la Red feinted early in the first-half of their 3-2 first-leg Copa del Rey defeat at Real Union, but Schuster insisted afterwards: "It shouldn't have affected us.

"At first we were all scared, but soon we discovered it wasn't serious. So I think that the players should not have been affected after that unfortunate play."

Gonzalo Higuain and Javier Saviola struck for Real and Schuster added: "The most negative of all was how we defended. I think we've been too soft in defence and they've taken advantage in this aspect.

"The truth is that we have paid dearly for those mistakes. However, we are back at the Santiago Bernabeu (in the second-leg) and that always relaxes us too."