These are the days for dreaming for a little team in the west of Spain. CP Cacereno, a team competing in Spain’s Segunda Division RFEF Group 4, has been given the ultimate fixture – a Copa del Rey encounter with Real Madrid in early Janaury.Cacereno famously beat Cordoba 3-0 and Girona 2-1 to reach the third round of the Copa del Rey and will be rewarded with a match to remember against the biggest club in the world.
Harambee Star Ismael Athuman played for Cacereno in 2016 and left a mark as one of the few Verdiblancos players who get to represent their country. Apart from that rare feat, the match against Los Blancos will likely be the proudest moment in the club’s 104-year-long history.Cacareno never played in the top tier. In fact, they have only reached the second tier once in their history. Seven decades ago, they reached the Segunda division only to get relegated the same season.From the volcano eruption to the Copa Del Rey’s game with Espanyol: a great story of the Spanish fourth-tier football clubGospel of AlmazanWe’re big fans of the Copa del Rey because there are many small club genuinely delighted to play in this competition. We have already told you the touching story of SD Almazan, the club who bravely put on a show against Real’s city rivals Atletico Madrid. And the guys who literally live in fear next to a menacing volcano but were ready to throw caution to the wind just to show Espanyol what they’re made of. This competition represents all that is pure in football. And because we love this game, we salute every team, player and fan connected to this competition!COPA DEL REYThird round drawCD Ibiza Islas Pitiusas – Real Betis BalompiéCP Cacereno – Real Madrid CFCF Intercity – FC BarcelonaCF La Nucía – Valencia CFUD Logrones – Real Sociedad de FútbolCD Eldense – Athletic ClubPontevedra CF – RCD MallorcaGimnastic de Tarragona – CA OsasunaLinares Deportivo – Sevilla FCD Ceuta FC – Elche CFDeportivo Alavés – Real Valladolid CFLevante UD – Getafe CFReal Oviedo – Club Atlético de MadridFC Cartagena – Villarreal CFReal Sporting de Gijón – Rayo Vallecano de MadridRCD Espanyol de Barcelona – RC Celta de Vigo***matches to be played in the first week of January