Both Valencia and Getafe had to wait until Thursday to finally play their Copa del Rey last 32 second leg matches. Unai Emery’s side and the men of Michel both made progress in the knock-out competition, though it is los Che who can be happier with their performance and therefore more confident approaching Sunday’s clash between the two sides.
Emery was confident that a 3-0 first leg victory over Logrones would be sufficient to carry La Primera Division’s fifth placed side through to the next round and named a fresh-faced squad to meet the minnows at the Mestalla in the return fixture. The coach’s faith in youth was thoroughly vindicated as 18-year-old Isco grabbed a brace as the hosts won 4-1.
Results have not come so easily in La Liga of late. Indeed, los Che have lost three of their last four fixtures, going down 2-0 away against Sevilla last weekend to drop them well off the pace of the league leaders.
A top four finish remains the objective for the six-time Spanish champions, who continue to attempt to grapple with financial difficulties while at the same time competing hard for honours. The big names such as David Villa and David Silva may have left, but Emery still has at his command a great deal of talent.
The home crowd are aware of their squad’s potential but want it realised immediately, putting the coach under significant pressure as he attempts to get his squad to successfully battle on three fronts.
Stuttering
While Sunday’s hosts were making serene progress to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, recent specialists in the competition Getafe were made to work extremely hard for their place in the next round by Tercera Division outfit Portugalete, who recorded an impressive 1-1 draw in the first leg. Despite their lowly ranking, the Basque side earned a scoreless draw in Madrid, which was not enough to put them through, but it was enough to earn them huge plaudits.
Michel’s side treated that fixture with the sincerity it clearly deserved, and though they were victorious to an extent, such a result will only have served to damage their confidence prior to an encounter against dangerous opponents.
Last weekend el Geta produced a rousing second half performance against Barcelona as they ultimately went down 3-1 against the champions. The Madrid club will have lamented showing la Blaugrana so much respect in the first half of that encounter at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, as when they really went at Pep Guardiola’s side after the interval they had them rattled.
Chances were spurned in the second half of that encounter by a side lacking confidence going forward. Indeed, their only goal came from the penalty spot as Manu del Moral fired home after Gerard Pique had been sent-off following a handball in the box.
If Getafe can play with the gusto they managed in the second 45 last Sunday and combine it with some more confident finishing, they should not be dismissed.
TEAM NEWS
Valencia
Cesar Sanchez will be missing for around another 10 days due to a muscular complaint, so Moya will get his chance to start in goal. Alejandro Dominguez may be able to return after missing the midweek fixture.
Mehmet Topal is banned after being sent-off last weekend.
Getafe
There was real concern about the state of Javier Arizmendi following the midweek Copa match as he fell ill during the half-time interval, complaining of nausea and headaches. He was taken to hospital but discharged on Friday morning, seemingly fit. He will undergo a battery of tests to discover what was wrong with him.
Mario, Jaime Gavilan, Javi Casquero and Dani Parejo are all still out injured. Miguel Torres is close to returning and Mane featured briefly in midweek.
Derek Boateng’s dismissal against Barcelona has earned him a one-game ban.
Prediction
It’s imperative for Valencia that they get back on track quickly, and without any midweek commitments to worry about they should be able to earn three points against a side that’s not famed for their ability to travel.
Valencia 2-1 Getafe 
