Gary Neville denied morale-boosting Valencia win over Barcelona
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 10/02/2016 at 23:02 GMT
Copa Del Rey semi-final second leg - Valencia 1 (Negredo 39') Barcelona 1 (Kaptoum 84') 1-8 on aggregate
Barcelona's German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (L) vies with Valencia's forward Alvaro Negredo during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) semifinal second leg match Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on February 10, 201
Image credit: AFP
Gary Neville missed out on a morale-boosting win as Barcelona scored late on to snatch a Copa Del Rey semi-final second leg draw against Valencia.
Of course, the Catalans had as good as secured their place in the competition’s final with a 7-0 mauling of Neville’s side at the Camp Nou last week. But it had been hoped that a second leg victory might prove a turning point for his floundering team.
And it looked like they were going to claim as much, with Alvaro Negredo making the most of a fortunate bounce to score an opener in the first-half. Valencia enjoyed the better of the contest, but conceded an equaliser with just six minutes left to play as youngster Wilfrid Kaptoum finished a low cross.
For Valencia, focus now turns to the weekend’s clash against fellow strugglers Espanyol, with Barcelona extending their unbeaten streak to 29 games - passing the previous club record set under Pep Guardiola.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2016/02/10/1792717-37851631-2560-1440.jpg)
Barcelona's Cameroonian forward Wilfrid Kaptoum (C) celebrates his goal with Barcelona's defender Vidal Aleix and Barcelona's forward Munir El Haddadi (L) during Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) semifinal second leg match Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona at t
Image credit: AFP
KEY EVENTS
6’ SANDRO SHOOTS OVER THE BAR! Munir did well to hold up the ball and setting up his team-mate for the shot just inside the box, but Sandro leans back and sends it over the target.
23’ MUNIR DRIBBLES THROUGH THE DEFENCE! The youngster does brilliantly to beat three players on the edge of the box, but he angles his shot over the bar. Wonderful skill.
24’ GOAL-SAVING TACKLE FROM MATHIEU! Piatti was clean in on goal and looked to square a pass for an unmarked team-mate, but Mathieu made the clearance on the slide.
31’ THE TEENAGER COMES CLOSE! That wasn't far away at all. Villalba cuts inside and unleashes a shot towards Ter Stegen's goal, but the ball flashes over the crossbar. Close.
39’ SANTOS NEEDED TO MAKE THAT BLOCK! Sandro was going for goal, but his shot was going to meet Munir at the back post for the tap-in. However, Santos was there to cut it out.
40’ VERMAELEN JUST COULDN'T RISE HIGH ENOUGH! The Barcelona defender was up from the back for the corner, but he couldn't jump high enough and the ball skims through his hair.
41’ GOAL! Valencia 1 Barcelona 0: Valencia finally enjoy some luck! Negredo's chipped effort hit Ter Stegen and bounced off his thigh, putting him clean through on an empty net. The hosts have the lead on the night!
45’ MUNIR SHOULD HAVE EQUALISED! Adriano's cross into the box from the free-kick was magnificent, but Munir couldn't strain his neck far enough and he sent his header wide.
48’ DECENT DIVING HEADER! Valencia come close to doubling their advantage on the night. Piatti's cross was excellent, but Mina could only direct his diving header over the bar. Close.
53’ PIATTI JUST COULDN'T MAKE THE CONNECTION! Negredo turned his marker and drove to the byline, squared for Piatti, but he couldn't get his feet sorted in time to take the shot.
68’ RAKITIC DOES WELL TO GET A SHOT AWAY! The Croatian midfielder has three defenders around him, but he managed to get away from them and send a shot towards goal. Jaume saves.
75’ GOMES WAS ALMOST THERE! The cross into the penalty area from Piatti was excellent, with Gomes waiting for the ball to drop. But Bartra got there before him to clear.
77’ GOOD SAVE FROM TER STEGEN! Danilo sent a freekick effort towards the top corner of the Barcelona net, but the German was on hand to tip the shot over the crossbar.
82’ PIATTI JUST NEEDED SOME COMPOSURE! That was some great Valencia play around the penalty area, but Piatti sent his shot over the bar at the near post. Decent try.
84’ GOAL! Valencia 1 Barcelona 1: That's cruel on Valencia. They were just minutes away from a win, but Kaptoum sweeps home a finish from close range after a cross into the six yard area.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2016/02/10/1792725-37851791-2560-1440.jpg)
Valencia's Argentinian forward Pablo Piatti (R) vies with Barcelona's defender Aleix Vidal during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) football match Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona at Mestalla stadium in Valencia on February 10, 2016
Image credit: AFP
KEY STATS
Barcelona have now gone 29 games unbeaten in all competitions - the longest run in the club's 117-year history.
Barcelona will now play their third successive Copa del Rey final, which hasn’t happened since 1996, 1997, 1998.
Sergi Roberto completed 83 passes against Valencia, more than in any other game so far this season.
TALKING POINT - Could Saturday’s match against Espanyol decide Gary Neville’s fate?
Despite all that has come his way since taking over at the Mestalla, Gary Neville still seemingly has the backing of Valencia owner Peter Lim. But after missing out on a win here could that change on Saturday? Valencia will face fellow strugglers Espanyol at the weekend, and with the team hurtling towards the relegation could Lim’s hand be forced? Saturday’s fixture could be must-win for the former Manchester United full-back.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2016/02/11/1792726-37851811-2560-1440.jpg)
Valencia's British coach Gary Neville (R) and delegate Valencia's delegate Salvador González Marco look-on during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) football match Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona at Mestalla stadium in Valencia on February 10, 2016
Image credit: AFP
MAN OF THE MATCH - Pablo Piatti
The attacker’s performance was a reminder that, despite their recent struggles, Valencia still possess quality. Pablo Piatti, on his day, is among one of the very best in the Spanish game, and he found top-form against Barcelona. Everything Valencia did well came through Piatti. Had he been paired with a more ruthless centre-forward than Alvaro Negredo, he would have piled high the assists.
PLAYER RATINGS
Valencia - Jaume 6, Vezo 6, Santos 6, Diallo 5, Gaya 6, Danilo 5, Zahibo 5, Villalba 7, Mina 6, Piatti 8, Negredo 6. Subs - Gomes 6, Bakkali 6, Iban 5.
Barcelona - Ter Stegen 6, Adriano 4, Bartra 6, Vermaelen 5, Mathieu 6, Samper 5, Rakitic 6, Roberto 6, Vidal 5, Munir 6, Sandro 5. Subs - Douglas 5, Camara 5, Kaptoum 6.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article