Valencia vs Barcelona - Copa Del Rey Semifinal 2nd leg - Feb 8, 2018 – Review

Valencia vs Barcelona - Copa Del Rey Semifinal 2nd leg - Feb 8, 2018 – Review

When the likes of Iniesta, Messi, Busquets, Luis Suarez, Rakitic, Pique, Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto were lined up for FC Barcelona and when they mean business, not many teams could fancy their chances against them. Add in the potency of Countinho, the physicality of Paulinho and the stubbornness of Cilessen, let alone Valencia, there was no chance in hell that anyone could stop Barca. That’s exactly what happened as Barcelona defeated Valencia 2-0 in the 2^nd leg of the Copa Del Rey semifinals to advance into the finals with a 3-0 goal aggregate from both the legs. 

It was an impeccable performance by Barca with everyone intent on doing well. Valencia were kept busy fending off Messi, Iniesta and Suarez with Sergi and Alba foraying forward on the flanks.  Pique (despite not being fully fit) and Umtiti were unshakeable at the back. Rakitic and Busquets just never budged, holding strong against the physical play of Valencia. Messi and Suarez, in particular, were at the receiving end of some rough treatment which did not seem to deter the duo in any way.   

Valencia did attack as and when they got hold of the ball. An unlucky Rodrigo had his shot come off the bar. Suarez was guilty of missing a couple of chances, while Messi tested the goalkeeper Domenech with well-aimed free kicks. Valencia had too many bodies around, successfully, preventing Barca from scoring in the first half.

Egged on by a boisterous home crowd, Valencia came in to the 2^nd half with the hope of giving the holders a fight. It was after all a matter of just one goal. Valverde brought in Countinho for the ineffective Gomes. The dominant play of Barca continued in the 2^nd half as well. A brilliant Luis Suarez managed to wiggle away from the defenders hanging on to him and provided a lovely pass which a sliding and stretching Coutinho managed to put into the opposition’s goal at an almost impossible angle. At long last the wait for the elusive 1^st goal was over. A delighted Messi and Co smothered the smiling little Brazilian in a typical, Barca style, group hug.  Ironically it was Luis Suarez who was the provider for Coutinho’s first goal at their previous club- Liverpool. The ex-colleagues seem to linking up very well again which is great news for the Blaugranas. 

In the meantime the terrific Iniesta was replaced by Paulinho with the Mestalla giving him a standing ovation for his spotless display. Valencia brought in two of their best players - Guedes and Soler. Guedes gave Sergi Roberto a torrid time and almost scored with a looping header but missed the target by inches. Valencia launched another attack. Zaza’s header found an unmarked Gaya, whose shot was saved incredibly by the alert Cillesen, at almost point blank range.

Then it was time for some magic! The indomitable Luis Suarez, once again, raced forward and dribbled past two players despite the rough tackles to give a lovely through ball to Rakitic, who made no mistake in finishing it off. It was 2-0 in favour of Barcelona and a huge mountain to climb for the tiring Valencia.  A calm Barcelona managed to see off the final 10 minutes without much ado. New comer Yerry Mina made a confident debut for Barcelona as he came in for the injured Pique in the last quarter.

An undaunted Valencia put up a tremendous fight. But it was just not enough to stop a fiercely determined FC Barcelona team that never yielded even by an inch.  Every Barca team member did a remarkable job with the tenacious Luis Suarez being the most exceptional of the lot. The only player who stood out like a sore thumb was Andre Gomes who was unable to gel in and contribute in any way. It was a disappointing game for the Portuguese, who was substituted in the 2^nd half, making way for Coutinho.  

Barcelona would be facing Seville for their 30^th Cope Del Rey title in April.