Valencia ensured the Copa del Rey title after beating Barcelona 2-1 at Benito Villamarin Stadium on Saturday (25/5).
Valencia’s Copa del Rey winning goals were scored by Kevin Gameiro in the 22nd minute and Rodrigo Moreno on 34 minutes. The only Blaugrana goal in the match was Lionel Messi.
Barcelona tried to catch up in the second half. Their efforts to launch an attack almost made the Blaugrana concede again at the beginning of the round.
Rodrigo Moreno’s kicking ball which received a pass from Goncalo Guedes slightly deviated to the right of Jasper Cillessen’s goal.
Entering the 57th minute, it was Barcelona’s turn to almost break into Valencia’s goal. Messi’s kick which received a pass from Malcolm still hit the Valencia goalpost.
The ball actually bounced back towards Arturo Vidal. However, the Chilean released a shot that soared.
Barcelona again created a golden opportunity in the 71st minute. This time it was Gerard Pique’s turn that almost scored. His ball from Malcolm’s bait still slipped thinly.
The Azulgrana only managed to reduce the score to 1-2 just two minutes after Pique’s chances. Messi’s effort this time led to a goal by beating Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Domenech.
Barcelona are increasingly motivated to equalize the score after reducing the lag. However, Valencia’s defense seems too strong to penetrate by Barca.
The match ended for Valencia’s victory over Barcelona 2-1 while ensuring they won the Copa del Rey title.
With that defeat, Barcelona is certain to only be able to collect one title, the Spanish La Liga trophy this season. The score was worse than last season which won two prestigious competition titles namely Spanish League and Copa del Rey.
In fact, quoted from Marca, the club is targeting this season the Blaugrana must win a treble or three titles. Valverde was considered to have failed to meet the target.
Previously Valverde also failed to bring Barcelona to the Champions League final this season. In the semifinals, Lionel Messi and his friends lost 3-4 on aggregate from Liverpool after being slaughtered 4-0 at Anfield Stadium.
In fact, Barcelona have won 3-0 in the first leg at the Camp Nou Stadium. Valverde also received harsh criticism from the public Barca lovers because his strategy was unable to maintain the balance of the squad.
The fury of the Barcelona fans grew even bigger when the giant team from Catalonia lost 1-2 to Valencia in the Copa del Rey final.
Moreover, Valencia had previously been unable to win with a drawt two meeti angs in Spanish La Liga this season.
Although still leaving another year contract, Valverde is likely to be kicked out of the coach’s seat after failing to boost the Blaugrana’s achievements.
Valverde’s strategy in determining the starter in a number of crucial matches was assessed by the fans as a disaster for Barcelona. The red report card is likely to accelerate his dismissal from the club.
