Another Final

After a cracking first leg at the Mestalla last week, FC Barcelona entertained Valencia at the Camp Nou tonight with both sides confident of meeting Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final. Valencia’s chances were dealt a cruel blow however, with the eleventh hour absence of their talismanic striker Roberto Soldado, who bowed out with flu like symptoms just before kick off. On a cold night in Catalonia, Dani Alves was frozen out of a backline that was comprised of Puyol, Mascherano, Pique, and Abidal. An injury to Busquets left the midfield shy of a holding player as Xavi, Fabregas, and Thiago held the fort, and the attacking trio consisted of Alexis, Messi, and new kid on the block, Isaac Cuenca.

The opening minutes were cagey with neither side giving an inch. Mascherano was alert at the back and Sanchez was causing the visitors some early palpitations. On eleven minutes Valencia should have taken the lead after good work on the left from Mathieu, after he found the run of Feghouli who drove the ball wide from close range with just Pinto to beat. Messi picked up the ball in his own half at the quarter hour mark and lofted a thirty yard pass for Fabregas to chase. With three defenders breathing down his neck the former Gunner flicked the ball over Diego Alves’ head to take the lead.

A mistake at the back from Rami was punished by Messi three minutes later, who snatched the ball and embarked on a blistering forward run. The Argentine got his shot away and Diego Alves’ save fell to the feet of Cuenca, who somehow missed from eight yards. Aduriz was carded minutes later after a late tackle on Thiago. On the half hour mark Fabregas found himself clear through on goal after another mix up at the back, but once again Diego Alves was equal to the task. Barcelona’s players were beginning to impose themselves on proceedings at this stage and playing a tantalizing brand of football that delighted the home crowd. Feghouli was carded just before the break as he pulled down Thiago and as the teams ran for the tunnel, Guardiola must have been wondering how his team was only ahead by the smallest of margins.

Straight after the restart, Jordi Alba out-ran Puyol after a great first touch to find himself through on goal, but his shot was denied by Pinto’s excellent reflexes. Ruiz was yellow card minutes later after a poor challenge on Xavi. Mascherano had to be alert to head the ball from the line after Pinto ran off his line too eagerly, with the keeper caught in no man’s land and he was almost punished. Alexis pinched a loose ball from Victor Ruiz to set Messi free, but yet again Alves proved to be unbeatable from close range. Fabregas was booked with twenty minutes left for protesting a dubious off side decision against Sanchez. Banega was replaced by Tino Costa and while Barça continued to search for the killer goal, good chances fell to Valencia who only needed one goal to reach extra time.

Feghouli harshly received his second yellow and was sent off for needless use of the arm on Puyol. Piatti took to the field for Jonas for a final throw of the dice for Unai Emery. A very well worked movement started with Alexis. He drew the defender and picked out Fabregas, who slid the ball across the square to Xavi, who took one touch before rifling a right footed shot that finally beat the almost impenetrable Diego Alves. The other Alves, Dani, came on with five minutes left for Alexis and Cristian Tello made a cameo for Cuenca in the dying minutes. Iniesta took to the pitch for a fraction of the injury time, much to the approval of the Camp Nou faithful. The score remained unchanged as Barcelona reach yet another final. Let’s hope it won’t be their last final of the season as they take to the road next week to defend their Champions League crown at Bayer Leverkusen. Their frantic calendar shows little sign of slowing down. Thankfully neither do the players!

Image Credit: David Ramos/Getty Images