Valencia and Barcelona meet at Estadio de Mestalla, in a return match for this phase of the Copa del Rey (Semi-finals), after the victory at home to Barcelona by (1-0) in the first leg. The record of direct confrontations in this stadium is favorable to the visiting team, which in the last 6 matches won 3 and tied 3. but the last time these two teams met in this stadium was on 26-11-2017, for the First Division, which ended in a draw by (1-1). Rodrigo (60 ‘) scored the goals of the game, for Valencia, and Jordi Alba (82′), for Barcelona. Attention to the home factor, since Valencia usually conquer different results at home and abroad.
Valencia:
The home team comes to this second leg with a disadvantage of 1 goal, in addition to the disadvantage of not having scored goals as a visitor in the first leg. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses in away matches; against 10 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses at their stadium. The team comes to this match after a loss away with Atlético Madrid by (1-0). In the last 10 home matches Valencia has won 7, tied 1 and lost 2. Defensive consistency has not been their best feature, as they have conceded goals in 5 of the last 7 matches. attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 6 of the last 7 matches for this competition. In their home matches there is a tendency for goals, since 17 of the last 25 matches have ended with Over 2,5 goals. In 15 games, he suffered the first goal 10 times and only managed 3 comebacks. In the last 15 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have conceded 5 of their 12 goals between minutes (76’-90 ‘).
The Valencia is going through a complicated moment in the season, since it adds five consecutive defeats in official matches. In the last match played, the locals lost in the visit to Atlético de Madrid, 1-0. It should be noted that Valencia need to recover from a 1×0 loss in the first leg of this Copa del Rey semi-final. In this game against his fans, coach Marcelino Toral must act in the usual tactical system, the 4-4-2, privileging the defensive organization and the passes in depth towards the attack: Dani Parejo is the brain of the team, being the responsible for creating and organizing the offensive process. In some moments of the game the home team must risk everything in the attack. On the other hand, the Brazilian Rodrigo is the best score of Valencia, with 12 goals scored. For this game the coach can not count on Gonçalo Guedes and Andreas Pereira, both injured.
Barcelona:
The away team comes to this second leg with an advantage of 1 goal, but suffered 0 goals at home in the first leg. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 6 draws and 1 loss in away matches; against 14 victories and 1 draw at their stadium. In the last match they played, for the First Division, they drew with Espanyol by (1-1). In the last 10 away matches Barcelona has 5 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss. Defensive consistency has been one of their best features, as they have only conceded goals in 2 of the last 7 matches, and their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 6 of the last 7 matches for this competition. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 28 of the last 32 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals. In 15 matches, they have conceded the first goal 5 times, but have won the first leg in 2. In the last 20 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period highlighted: they have suffered 4 of their 11 goals between minutes (31’-45 ‘ ).
Barcelona comes to this game with a tie to a ball against Espanyol, thus totaling the fifth game in a row without tasting the defeat in several competitions. Despite having won in the first leg, the visitors do not have access to the guaranteed Copa del Rey final. In this game away from home, coach Ernesto Valverde must organize the team in 4-4-2, privileging possession of the ball and attacks through the flanks: Coutinho must take on one of Barcelona’s wings. Lionel Messi is one of the highlights of the Catalan attack, since he has scored 27 goals in several competitions. For this game the coach can not count on Vermaelen, Piqué and Digne, all injured.
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