Valencia coach Unai Emery targets victory over Barcelona

Los Che's head coach is eagerly anticipating the Copa del Rey encounter with the Catalans, and is determined to record a positive result on Wedesnday evening

By Stefan Coerts

Unai Emery, Valencia
Getty Images
Valencia coach Unai Emery is looking forward to Wednesday's first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal against Barcelona, and is confident of getting a positive result at Mestalla.

Emery feels that Los Che do not just need to beat the Catalans in order to stand a chance of reacing the final, but stressed that they cannot afford to concede and need to win by at least a two-goal margin.

"Our main priority is obviously to win the match, but that won't be enough," Emery stated on the pre-match press conference. "We have to keep a clean sheet as well and preferably win by more than one goal. Additionally, it's crucial for us to end the match with 11 players.

"We are wary of Barcelona's strength, despite their absences. They miss some important players, but have great alternatives. Barcelona are always a very dangerous team."

Wednesday's first leg kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET. The second leg takes place at Camp Nou on February 8.

Follow GOAL.COM USA on



 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai

    Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.

  2. ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams

    Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.

  3. ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite

    Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.

  4. LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth

    With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.

  5. McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date

    The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.