Goodbye to the Cup (3-2)

Roger Bogunyà

Barça have said goodbye to the King’s Cup. For the 2nd year in a row they have been knocked out at the final hurdle. 2-0 down at half-time was too much, despite goals from Henry and Eto’o almost making for a remarkable comeback.

Defensive errors proved costly in this return leg of the semi-final. Barça were superior in possession and fought to the end; they controlled the pace of the game and just like the first leg, they created more chances than their opponents. However, they were poor in defence and it cost them dear. Three goals from Valencia, especially Mata’s brace, one before half time and the other just after Barça had got it back to 2-1 – left too much work to do, despite Henry (72 min) and Eto’o (80 min) grabbing the goals to make a comeback possible.

Barça dominate but lose

The start of the game was dominated by the azulgranas and Milito (3 min) and Iniesta (4 min) could have opened the scoring. Valencia played tight at the back and were happy to wait and hit on the counter. But it was a poor defensive clearance that led to the first goal. Baraja latched on to the lose ball and rifled home from the edge of the area.

A second just on half time

Things got a bit messy at 1-0. Barça started to lose a lot of possession in the centre and gave the home side come chances to counter. Koeman’s side then started to look more comfortable in defence without actually playing better. Things got better for the locals though when some quick football by Valencia finished with Mata slotting home on the stroke of half time. So a pretty negative 2-0 half-time scoreline and a real blow to morale for Barça.

Enter Henry

After the restart Barcelona continued pressing but they showed the same inaccuracies as the first half. Rijkaard saw that his side were not creating chances and brought on Henry for Touré, playing him in Iniesta’s position on the left of the attack. It proved a key switch as the French number 14 cut the deficit when he headed home Sylvinho’s left wing cross (Sylvinho had earlier replaced Abidal). Barça were still in it.

Mata, lethal

The 2-1, however, was short lived. Immediately afterwards, Silva put the ball in the Barca box and found Mata alone and he powered home. It was now 3-1 and once again the visitors need two goals to make the final, but now there were only 15 minutes remaining. Barça didn’t drop their heads and continued attacking Hildebrand’s goal with ever increasing intensity.

Eto'o makes it 3-2

Valencia were now putting everyone behind the ball but Eto’o still managed to get through to make it 3-2 in the 80th minute. Barça’s attacks were becoming constant and Valencia did what they could to waste as much time as posible. They did everything they could to win the game. Barça, on the other hand, despite their courageous effort, were once again knocked out at the final hurdle.

Ticket to the final up for grabs in Mestalla

Jordi Clos

Barça face Valencia tonight (Barça TV, PPV, TV3, La Sexta and Radio Barça) in the return leg of the semi-final of the Cup. Following the 1-1 draw in the first leg, Barça must score to qualify.

Valencia and Barça are both looking for a place in the final of the King's Cup tonight, where they will face Getafe, who knocked Racing out in the other semi-final. The game in Mestalla could prove decisive for the future of both clubs. Rijkaard's side could be the only team left fighting on three fronts, the Champions League, the Spanish league and the King's Cup, while the Cup is the only possibility of silverware for Koeman's side.

Touré Yaya returns

Reaching the final would also be a boost to morale for Barça, who go into the game with only one point from their last three league games. Rijkaard can call on two of the nine absentees from the game against Almería, namely Touré Yaya and Zambrotta, who was suspended. On the other hand, the Dutchman loses Oleguer, who is injured, and he would prefer not to play Ronaldinho, who has only managed to train once this week.

Must score

The 1-1 draw in the first leg leaves things very open but, at the same time, means Barça must score if they are to reach the final, something they haven't done now for ten years. Despite their long absence from the final, Barça, with 24 titles, continue to be the kings of the Cup. On their way to a 25th title they have eliminated Alcoyano, Seville (current cup holders) and Villarreal.

Valencia - all or nothing

If the game is important for the outcome of Barça's season, then it could be said that for Valencia it's a case of life or death. The side run by ex-Barça players Ronald Koeman and José Mari Bakero, are 11th in the league, nine points off a UEFA place, and were eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage. The Cup has been something of a comforting distraction for the club which, in only a few months, has seen the departure of its president, its manager (Quique Sánchez Flores) and three players being ostracized (Cañizares, Albelda and Angulo). Only a title could leave a good taste in the mouth after such a turbulent season.