Copa Del Rey Preview: Sevilla - Valencia

Weekend To Forget

What a disastrous weekend it was for Primera División championship hopefuls Sevilla and Valencia as both teams suffered shock defeats that put a severe dent in their already fading title dreams. Suddenly, the Copa del Rey has become priority number one for these two outfits as they bid to avoid the season ending in disappointment.

Valencia have hit crisis mode for the first time this campaign after crashing to an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at Mallorca, a match which was effectively over inside the first 45 minutes. So woeful was their display that coach, Unai Emery was forced to absorb all the blame. He then held a lengthy post-match analysis with his players the day after to conduct a serious evaluation of their performance.

It may have come just a tad too late, though, as Los Ché have only managed to win just two of their last seven league outings - while losing four in the process. They are now what must surely be an insurmountable 19 points behind leaders, Barcelona, and even their minimum target of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League is coming under threat.

Only four points separate them from eighth placed Deportivo La Coruña, with three other teams, including Villarreal and Atlético Madrid, all looking to pounce should they slip up some more.

Valencia will now have to choose which competition they want to focus their resources on as a spate of fresh injuries look certain to wreak havoc on their squad in the coming weeks.

Under Pressure

Emery isn’t the only one feeling the heat. Sevilla coach, Manolo Jiménez is under even more intense pressure, especially since he has the ever outspoken and temperamental José María del Nido as his boss.

The Andalucians were cruising along nicely until last week when they threw away a 2-1 lead against Valencia at the Mestalla in the first leg Copa clash, gift-wrapping two goals to their opponents in the final seven minutes of the game.

Jiménez had built his team around a solid, disciplined defence while sacrificing the frantic, all-out attacking football made famous by Juande Ramos. They had conceded just three times in their last seven games in Spain but in the last seven days alone, they have shipped in five goals.

Sunday’s shock 2-0 defeat at home to Racing Santander was without doubt one of their worst performances and results this term and the coach may be starting to lose support, confidence and control in the dressing room, after midfielder, Enzo Maresca criticised him and his fellow team-mates.

Elimination from the Copa del Rey could spell the end for Jiménez, who has never really been embraced by the club president nor the fans ever since he decided to ditch the razzle-dazzle football for a more conservative approach. But with the team still amongst the favourites to clinch a Champions League spot, an exit from the only other competition they are in may aid Jiménez in achieving that top-four finish.  

FORM GUIDE

Sevilla

Jan 25 Sevilla 0-2 Racing Santander (LA LIGA)

Jan 21 Valencia 3-2 Sevilla (COPA DEL REY)

Jan 17 Sevilla 1-0 Numancia (LA LIGA)

Jan 14 Deportivo La Coruña 0-3 Sevilla (COPA DEL REY)

Jan 10 Deportivo La Coruña 1-3 Sevilla (LA LIGA)

Valencia

Jan 25 Mallorca 3-1 Valencia (LA LIGA)

Jan 21 Valencia 3-2 Sevilla (COPA DEL REY)

Jan 18 Athletic Bilbao 3-2 Valencia (LA LIGA)

Jan 14 Valencia 3-1 Racing Santander (COPA DEL REY)

Jan 10 Valencia 3-3 Villarreal (LA LIGA)

TEAM NEWS

Sevilla

Winger Jesús Navas continues to nurse a minor muscle injury and he is expected to recover in time for this clash. Midfielder, Aldo Duscher and defenders, Aquivaldo Mosquera and Abdoulay Konko have also resumed training following their respective ailments but their availability is yet unknown.

Argentines Lautaro Acosta and Federico Fazio are still struggling with long term ankle injuries.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Palop – Navarro, Squillaci, Escudé, Dragutinovic – Adriano/Navas, Romaric, Maresca, Capel – Luis Fabiano, Kanouté

Valencia

David Villa, Joaquín and Alexis have been working in the gym and on the field to recover from their niggles. But Raúl Albiol, Hedwiges Maduro and David Silva worked separately from the group this past week and their condition will be monitored until matchday.

Goalkeeper Renan Brito is out for six weeks with a torn thigh muscle and Emery could give new signing, César Sánchez his first start in a Valencia shirt.

Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): César – Miguel, Alexis, Marchena, Del Horno – Albelda, Baraja – Pablo Hernández, Mata, Vicente –  Morientes

PREDICTION

It would be tough to see Sevilla step back out onto the Sánchez Pizjuán after the weekend debacle to take on any other team. But against an equally out-of-sorts Valencia side, they will fancy their chances of over-turning the 3-2 deficit.

Jiménez’s men do need to be defensively solid to ensure Valencia do not pip them on the away goals rule.

Sevilla 2-1 Valencia

KS Leong, Goal.com