Copa Del Rey Round-Up: Athletic Bilbao & Almeria Stumble Against Segunda Division Sides

Copa del Rey - Fourth Round First Leg
Fixtures & Results

Alcoyano 0-1 Valencia

Los Che are slowly rediscovering their best form but with a second-string team lining up against Alcoyano, Unai Emery’s side stammered to a slender away leg victory. Joaquin, who has been kept out of the first team by Pablo Hernandez, netted the only goal of the game after just nine minutes on the clock. They failed to find that all important buffer goal but the Mestalla men will be happy to go back home for the return game with an advantage.

Celta Vigo 2-1 Tenerife

Tenerife have been woeful away from home in La Liga and their poor form was evident again tonight against Segunda Division strugglers, Celta. The Galicians, just one spot away from the relegation zone, took the lead through Saulo on 20 minutes before Michu doubled the advantage just four minutes later. El Tete managed to pull a goal back through Richi right on the stroke of half-time but that failed to inspire a second period comeback.

Getafe 2-0 Espanyol

What was expected to be the tightest fixture of the fourth round proved to be just that as two of La Liga’s mid-table sides slugged it out at the Alfonso Perez Coliseum in southern Madrid. After a tense affair, the contest was settled on the hour mark when Juan Albin opened scoring before Jaime Gavilan made sure El Geta had a two goal cushion to take to the Cornella-El Prat two weeks from now.

Hercules 2-1 Almeria

Hugo Sanchez’s side have been extremely defensive and conservative in the league against the big guns and they were hoping to unleash their attacking arsenal against Hercules. Chico sent them on the right path with a 36th minute goal Danciulescu equalised for the second division outfit just moments after the restart. And the host stung their top flight visitors when Diaz netted the winning goal two minutes from time.

Rayo Vallecano 2-0 Athletic Bilbao

The Basque outfit were hoping to put their dismal La Liga form behind them momentarily and turn their focus to the cup competition that helped them earn a place in the Europa League. But they were given little reprieve as they were sent packing by the promotion chasing Madrid-based club. Nestor Susaeta scored after just six minutes and Sergio Pachon made it 2-0 on 20 minutes to leave Joaquin Caparros’ side with all to do in the return leg if they wish to go one step further than their finals appearance last term.

Real Murcia 0-1 Deportivo La Coruna

Depor have been winning their games by one-goal margins but a shocking 4-0 loss to Real Valladolid at the weekend disrupted their momentum. But they were back to familiar territory tonight against Murcia as defender, Alberto Lopo scored the only goal of the game 13 minutes from time to hand the Galicians a narrow away victory.

Xerez 1-2 Osasuna

Xerez had looked as though they had overcome their early-season jitters in the league, but they couldn’t translate their improving form to the Copa as they went down 2-1 at home to Osasuna. Sergio and Dady struck early for the Navarrans but Maldonado manage to pull one back in the 67th minute. It could be a priceless goal for the modest Andalucians in the second leg, although they have yet to score an away goal this season.

Real Zaragoza 1-1 Malaga

Malaga sunk to the bottom of the league table at the weekend while the Aragons were drowned by Barcelona. Both were hoping to put their nightmares behind them but instead had to settle for a draw. Zaragoza took the lead through Lafita on ten minutes but Apono made sure his side would not return home empty handed when he converted a 76th minute penalty to salvage a draw.

KS Leong, Goal.com