Copa del Rey Champions 2008

[Pat Murphy]

1st leg

Real Union 1-2 Valencia


Valencia apparently lucky to win. At least they're scoring. Zigic got both goals for Valencia.

[Pat Murphy]

Žigic The Hero As Valencia Finally Win

Real Unión 1-2 Valencia

It may just be a fourth round Copa del Rey match but for troubled Valencia, this was a chance for them to get their derailed season back on track. After six games on the trot without a win - and without a goal, for that matter - their fragile morale was in need of a massive boost, even if it was against a side from the Segunda División B.

That boost duly came against Real Unión as a double salvo from substitute Nikola Žigic saved Los Che from another embarrassing defeat as they fought back from an early goal to secure a precious 1-2 victory.

Coach Ronald Koeman had laid down the law axing veterans Santiago Cañizares and David Albelda from the squad prior to the trip to the Basque Country, but he still called up a full-strength side to take on the minnows.

Regulars Helguera, Marchena and Moretti all started at the back, with Joaquín, Silva and young Juan Mata leading the attacking midfield line and Arizmendi spearheading the attack.

Valencia began brightly as they desperately looked to end their run of 540 minutes without scoring a single goal. Silva and Mata had a chance each early on to break that barren spell but their efforts were kept out by Unión goalkeeper Otermin and defender Borda respectively.

The visitors continued to look menacing whenever they attacked but a lapse of concentration at the back allowed Unión to take a shock lead on 11 minutes. A through ball from midfield split the static Che rear guard to find Goikoetxea and the striker coolly sent a low shot past third-choice keeper Mora.

Koeman and his players were understandably stunned and it took them awhile before they regrouped and responded. Helguera’s header from a Silva cross was kept out by the imposing Borda at the far post but that proved to be the only real chance Valencia could muster before the break. As has been the case in recent weeks, despite all the possession, Los Che just could not find a way through to the back of the net.

A bewildered Koeman made a change at halftime, bringing on Manuel Fernandes for the inconspicuous Sunny in midfield. The swap, however, made little impact as Unión, in typical Basque fashion, chased down every ball and made life difficult for their guests.

Just before the hour mark, striker Nikola Žigic was thrown in for the ineffective Joaquín and that turned out to be a more inspired move. Just three minutes after coming on, the towering Serb drew the scores levelled when he finished off a lovely Silva pass with a sweeping shot past Otermin.

It was Žigic’s first ever goal in a Valencia shirt, four months on after his move from Racing Santander, but more crucially it was his side’s first goal in almost 600 minutes of football.

Los Che suddenly came alive as the impressive Mata and Silva continued to run the show from midfield with threatening runs and slick passes. And ten minutes later, the visitors went infront as Žigic struck again.

The striker found the tinniest of gaps in the Unión backline as he sneaked in behind two defenders to connect with a cross from the right and toe-poked the ball into the net at the near post.

Just moments later, the 27 year old could have claimed a stunning 15-minute hat trick but his headed effort was saved this time by Otermin. Koeman’s men did not take their foot off the gas in the closing stages as they proceeded to camp out in the home sides’ half to ensure there were no late surprises.

In the end, it was a lucky, if not pivotal win for Valencia as they take a 1-2 lead back to the Mestalla for the second leg in two weeks’ time.

Goal.com

Goal.com - Spain - Žigic The Hero As Valencia Finally Win

[Pat Murphy]

Last 32 - 2nd Leg

Valencia 3-0 Real Union

Valencia through comfortably to the Last 16. Zigic got the first and Joaquin got a 2 goals to finish.

[Pat Murphy]

Valencia's Last 16 opponent is Real Betis and they'll go on to play Atletico Madrid or Vallodolid if they go through to the Quarters.

Last 16:
(January 9th & 16th)

Betis vs Valencia


Quarters:
(January 23 & 30)

Betis/Valencia vs Atletico/Valladolid

[Pat Murphy]

Valencia beat Betis 2-1 at home to win both legs. Next up is...


Quarter Final
(January 23 & 30)

Valencia vs Atletico Madrid

[Pat Murphy]

Originally Posted by Pat Murphy

Valencia beat Betis 2-1 at home to win both legs. Next up is...


Quarter Final
(January 23 & 30)

Valencia vs Atletico Madrid

Valencia won the first leg 1-0 at home and last night lost 3-2 which puts them through with 2 away goals.

Valencia are through to the Semi Finals.

[Pat Murphy]

Valencia will play Barca in the Semi's. Barca to play at home first.

[Pat Murphy]

Bit late but here are a few Copa celebrations.....