"To play in the second half down to 10 men is a bitter pill to swallow, " added Hodgson.

BBC: Hodgson angry at Fulham red cards

The Venezuelan slugger who jokes that he gets goose bumps when it's 80 degrees, much less half that, has played through snow, bitter cold and winds at Coors Field this season.

WSJ: De La Rosa outduels Kuroda, Rockies beat Yanks 2-0

Diarra has been a key figure in Real's successful second half of the season which has seen them overhaul bitter rivals Barcelona.

BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Diarra puts Mali above Madrid