FCBARCELONA.CAT

Almost but not quite in the Cup

For the second year in a row FC Barcelona didn’t quite make it to the final of the King’s Cup, this time round going out to Valencia in the semi-finals.

After beating Alcoyano in the last 32, Rijkaard’s men then beat Seville and Villarreal in two evenly matched ties in which Henry’s goals made the difference.

First leg of the semi-finals, 1-1

The opponents in the semi-finals were Valencia managed by former Barça player Ronald Koeman. In the first leg in the Camp Nou, Barça had lots of chances but came up against an inspired Hildebrand, while a goal by Villa gave Valencia the lead before it was pegged back by a goal right at the death in the 94th minute by Xavi to make it 1-1.

No way back

In the second leg a poor first half performance by Barça left the home side 2-0 up. Henry pulled one back in the 72nd minute but immediately afterwards Mata made it 3-1.

Barça didn’t throw in the towel and Eto'o made it 3-2 ten minutes from the end, but it came too late, with Barça being one goal away from the final.

In the final Valencia easily saw off Michael Laudrup’s Getafe (3-1).

Here are Barça’s results in the 2007/08 Cup.