Everything went as planned. Current King’s Cup winner, Valencia CF, gave
no chances to its opponent in Barakaldo and made a good start in its way to defend the title. The line-up was
full of non-usual players and junior players, who did a great job, especially Ximo Navarro. Morientes scored
twice, Vicente scored another one and Zigic scored the last. The team proved its superiority against a fourth
Liga squad which gave its all. Valencia CF almost signed the qualifying for King’s Cup 1/8 finals.
Unai
Emery made a revolution in the line-up to give rest to the Liga players. Right from the beginning, Valencia CF
tried to control the hardened behaviour of Portugalete, supported by 7,500 fans at the Barakaldo’s stadium. It
didn’t last long until Valencia CF found a space in the defence. The team was playing on the wings and in the
10th minute, Pablo Hernández’s run broke the defence and passed the ball to Hugo Viana, who gave a great assist
to Morientes. Despite this first goal, Valencia CF players were very motivated and they didn’t slow down the
pace. Only ten minutes later, a fast counterattack by Ximo Navarro, a very fast right back defender, ended with
a powerful shot of Vicente.
With 0-2, Valencia CF began to stop efficiently the willing attacks of the hosts
and tried to counterattack with fast diagonal actions, searching the back of the defence. Morientes was very
close to scored the third, as well as Pablo, who missed twice with only seven minutes left to the break. The
team played concentrated and didn’t want any problems for qualifying for the 1/8 finals. Systematically,
Valencia CF attacked Portugalete especially from the right wing, where Ximo Navarro and Pablo were very active.
The other good news apart from the result was the good performance of the non-habitual players.
In the
second half, after a corner kick, Portugalete made the most of the height of young striker Urko Vera. He
surprised the defenders with his header and the fans went mad with his goal. Now, the pride of the champions
was hurt and only one minute later Morientes scored the third after another pass of Viana, who was very active
throughout the game. After the third goal, Emery decided to give some minutes to the junior players and Michel
came in for Vicente. The junior player was positioned behind Morientes and Viana was moved to the left wing.
Maduro and Zigic did also play some minutes in the final moments of the game. Portugalete slowed down the pace
due to the tiredness. The Serbian striker was the author of the fourth goal without opposition after Pablo’s
assist.
Match content
Portugalete (1): Macías, Txus Duarte,
Iker León, Vélez, Merino, Otero (Alberto, 56), Vidal, Edu Muñoz, Gorroño (Aranzubiaga, 72), Asensio (Joseba,
62) and Urko Vera.
Valencia CF (4): Guaita, Ximo Navarro (Maduro, 74), Marchena,
Helguera, Del Horno, Pablo, Edu, Baraja, Vicente (Michel, 59), Hugo Viana and Morientes (Zigic,
73).
Goals: 0-1, Morientes (10); 0-2, Vicente (20); 1-2, Urko Vera (47); 1-3, Morientes
(49); 1-4, Zigic (85)
Referee: Pérez Burrull. No
bookings.
Comments: King’s Cup 1/16 finals first leg clash played at Lasesarre
(Barakaldo). Att: 7,500.
Special correspondent in Barakaldo: Marcelo A. Ullúa
