Madrid - Veteran Real Madrid playmaker Guti's ommission from Real Madrid's squad for Saturday's home game against Getafe has been interpreted by the Spanish media as a punishment for his behaviour in Tuesday's 4-0 cup humiliation away to third division side Alcorcon.

On Friday Guti, 33, said that he would be "very surprised" if he was omitted from the squad, given that he was "in perfect condition."

Nonetheless, embattled coach Manuel Pellegrini has left him out, together with Christoph Metzelder and Royston Drenthe, two other players who performed abysmally in Alcorcon.

According to the Spanish media, Guti had a half-time argument in Alcorcon with Pellegrini, and insulted the coach when he was told that ye was going to be substituted.

He has not received any official sanction from the club, but his exclusion from the Getafe squad appears to be punishment from Pellegrini.

Guti also made an obscene gesture to the Alcorcon fans at the start of the second half, when sitting on the Real bench.

When announcing his squad for the Getafe game, Pellegrini said that "Guti has been omitted but this is not a punishment."

The Chilean coach then raised eyebrows by claiming that Guti is injured, which the player himself had denied earlier on Friday.

"He has just come back from an injury," said Pellegrini, "and it is best that he misses the match in order to recover his level."

Failure to beat Getafe could mean the sack for Pellegrini, whose team - the most expensive in history - have lost three of their last five games.

Real are three points behind Liga leaders Barcelona, who are away to Osasuna later on Saturday. (dpa)