Valencia marked their centenary season in style by stunning Barcelona to win their first trophy since 2008 with a 2-1 victory in the Copa del Rey final.
Barca’s Champions League hangover showed no signs of lifting after that four-goal semi-final comeback victory by Liverpool at Anfield.
Getty
4
Daniel Parejo lifted the trophy
It meant a season which promised so much a month ago ended with just a league title, which was wrapped up on April 27.
Valencia, who finished fourth in LaLiga, 26 points behind Barca, took a 2-0 first-half lead through Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo and even Lionel Messi could not rescue his side this time even though he scored the goal which set up a frantic finish.
Barca were aiming for an unprecedented fifth-successive Copa del Rey success, and seventh in 11 years, but never recovered from going behind.
Having comfortably won another domestic title, they put all their efforts into winning the Champions League and their failure to even reach the final after a 3-0 first-leg lead over Jurgen Klopp’s side appears to have weighed heavy on the players.
Getty
4
Kevin Gameiro scored first
On the eve of the game Messi said: “It was a really big blow which we received at Anfield. It was tough to get back up. It was one of the worst experiences in my career.”
Little did he realise there would be more pain to follow in Real Betis’ Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville, where temperatures at the 9pm local kick-off time were still around 30 degrees Celsius.
Valencia had just 23 per cent possession in the game but that was not the statistic which mattered, especially as, although their opponents registered 26 attempts, only six were on target in 90 minutes.
The fact Barca were missing Luis Suarez, who failed to recover from a knee operation in time, was a significant factor.
4
Rodrigo added the second
Gameiro took his tally to four goals in as many matches in the 21st minute, firing into the top corner after Ezequiel Garay cleverly cut back the ball.
Barcelona were reeling further when Carlos Soler broke down the right, outsprinting Jordi Alba, to tee up Rodrigo to plant a header past Jasper Cillessen.
Valencia’s two-goal half-time lead was the first against the 30-time winners in the final since Real Madrid in 1974.
Ernesto Valderde immediately changed tactics for the second half, sending on winger Malcom for defender Nelson Semedo and Arturo Vidal for fellow midfielder Arthur.
Getty
4
Lionel Messi looked dejected
However, Valencia were first to threaten again with Rodrigo having a shot saved before, 11 minutes in, Messi hit the crossbar after a one-two with Malcom.
It was a warning not heeded as Clement Lenglet’s header hit the post to allow Messi to tidy up and become the first player to score in six different Copa del Rey finals.
Valencia had 17 minutes to hang on and – despite everything thrown at them, including centre-back Gerard Pique playing up front – they held on to lift their first Copa del Rey in 11 years.
Goalkeeper's agent confirms Liverpool interest as Reds eye Mignolet replacement. Liverpool have enjoyed an impressive season but are still set to go on the hunt for reinforcements this summer
Ugurcan Cakir's agent reveals Liverpool interest - Read Liverpool
Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen has verbally agreed to join Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will demand €150m (£128m) for the Denmark international, but Real bosses are hoping to get that price down.
Transfer Window Archives - Just Football News
Harry Kane is optimistic he will be fit to play in the Champions League final. The England striker - currently sidelined with an ankle injury - was a spectator in Amsterdam as Tottenham came
Harry Kane STARTS Champions League final for Tottenham
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Former Reds midfielder Paul Ince says Jurgen Klopp's men will be 'knackered' in Champions League final Curated post Former Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince is concerned Jurgen Klopp's men have 'exhausted themselves' ahead of the Champions League final, leaving them prone to further disappointment against Tottenham.
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp is no bottler but
Manchester United transfer news LIVE - Pursuit of Belgium star dented, as Red Devils up chase for Foxes forward, plus the latest on Matthijs de Ligt and Paul Pogba United linked with Lille
Man City News - Latest Manchester City FC News and Transfers
Sissoko did not realise Spurs had beaten Man City after marching down tunnel when Sterling scored… only to be told goal had been disallowed by VAR Raheem Sterling netted his third goal of
Sissoko Didn't Know Tottenham Advanced in Champions League as
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tells stories about 1999 to inspire Manchester United, Chris Smalling reveals The Red Devils manager has fond memories of the Nou Camp - and his side face Barcelona in the
Manchester United star reveals 'nasty side' Ole Gunnar
WHAT A SIGHT The second test event saw saw Tottenham Legends take on Inter Forever and the Spurs faithful and Ardiles took the opportunity to gush about the club's new home Tottenham's slick new stadium saw its first piece of football last weekend and it wowed all those who attended including talkSPORT's Ian Abrahams, who
Simply the best' - Tottenham fans and former player Ossie
Scott McTominay hailed by Manchester United legends as star comes of age against Barcelona. The Scotland international has earned widespread praise despite the Red Devils' 1-0 defeat to the
Manchester United man comes of age in impressive display
sportsalert.org/2019/04/11/manchester-united-man-comes-of-age-in-impressive-display-against-barcelona-in-the-champions-league/
MC-NIFICENT McTominay justified his inclusion in Manchester United's starting XI with a towering display Among them were Golden Boot winners, European Cup winners, World Cup champions and one of the game's greats in Lionel Messi, but it was a 22-year-from Lancaster, who stood tallest, literally, on Wednesday night at Old Trafford.
Manchester United man comes of age in impressive display
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) have confirmed that Chelsea have appealed their two-window transfer ban. FIFA punished the Blues after they were found to have broken rules regarding the
Manchester United new kit for next season leaked online. The new kit is a huge change from anything Adidas or former kit suppliers Umbro or Nike have designed for United in modern times.
Manchester United Kits | World Soccer Shop®
AD
An ex-soldier recalled the time Chelsea legend Ray Wilkins helped him when he was homeless Henderson on how Liverpool have bounced back from last year's Mercedes pay tribute to legend
LIVE Ray Wilkins News | One News Page
No comments:
Post a Comment