The biggest game of our season is upon us. Against all odds, Los Che are travelling west across the country this weekend to contest the Copa Del Rey final.
Coach Jose Bordalas has played up the occasion, calling it a “historic moment”.
Could we really do it and bring home our 9th Copa trophy? Batzine takes a look at both teams ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
Contrast in form
Real Betis are in better form than Valencia in the lead-up to the showpiece at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have been doing well in the league and are right in the mix for the European spots.
Despite wobbles in the past two months which saw them get dumped out of the Europa League by Eintracht Frankfurt, the team from Sevilla have stayed the course and are on track to replicate, if not better, last season’s 6th position in LaLiga. Without Europa League distractions, Betis are determined to make this a memorable campaign with a Copa triumph.
On the other hand, Valencia have blown hot and cold in the past few matches, if not the season past. Our goal count has read like Morse code, either registering 1 or zero goals for recent matches.
While we have had occasional unbeaten runs built on a solid defence, we have lacked the cutting edge up front, especially in the absence of the irrepressible Goncalo Guedes. Our mid-table standing exemplifies our see-saw form.
Who can make the difference?
But of course, all is not lost. In a one-off occasion like a cup final, the Bats have every chance against any team. After all, we have emerged victorious in our last 3 Copa finals – most recently in 2019 against a Lionel Messi-led Barcelona.
A look through the Valencia roster shows you how strong the team can be. Besides Guedes, players like Carlos Soler, Hugo Duro, Bryan Gil and Yunus Musah can also turn any game on its head with a moment of inspiration.
Against a Betis rear guard not known for its defensive prowess, we should be licking our lips. This is especially true down the flanks, where their full-backs Alex Moreno and Hector Bellerin can be left exposed on their attacking forays.
However, our opponents also have an impressive attacking arsenal. Unlike our reliance on Guedes, Betis have spread the goalscoring burden across the frontline. Juanmi, Borja Iglesias, Willian Jose and Nabil Fekir have all chalked up at least 10 goals and assists each this season so far. Danger lurks everywhere.
We will need our defence to be on their A-game. As Jasper Cillessen continues to shake off his injury woes, Valencia will likely turn to the big Georgian Giorgi Mamardashvili to perform heroics in goal.
Bordalas will also have to decide to go with a 3- or 4-man defence. Having 3 central defenders and more bodies in the box may just prove the difference against a multi-pronged Betis, who wreaked havoc in their 4-1 LaLiga win against us in October.
Valencia will definitely be up against it, playing a strong Betis side in their home city. But we have every reason to be hopeful, as one of the Copa’s most decorated teams. Bring it on!
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