Barcelona are set to face Valencia in Copa del Rey on Thursday at Mestalla. This encounter will mark the ninth time these two sides will meet on this competitors at that venue.
Curiously, for the primary time, the tie can be determined in a single match, making it crucial for Hansi Flick’s males to convey their finest recreation from the very first whistle.
Traditionally, the Copa del Rey fixtures at Mestalla have usually led to pivotal moments within the event. Out of the eight earlier encounters, seven noticed the winner of the tie go on to say the Copa del Rey title.
The one exception was in the course of the 1991-92 season. Valencia superior to the final 16 after successful 2-0 at Mestalla and forcing a penalty shootout at Camp Nou following Barcelona’s 4-2 win. Nonetheless, Atletico Madrid finally lifted the trophy that yr.
A take a look at the yesteryears
Current historical past has been extra beneficial for Barcelona. The final three ties in opposition to Valencia on this competitors ended positively for the Catalan facet.
Barcelona have a poor report at Estadio Mestalla in Copa del Rey. (Picture by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Photographs)
Nonetheless, two of those victories required decisive second-leg matches at house, with scores of 2-0 in 2011-12 and a commanding 7-0 in 2015-16. Each preliminary clashes at Mestalla led to 1-1 attracts.
The final defeat for Barcelona in opposition to Valencia within the Copa del Rey dates again to the 2007-08 season. Regardless of two objectives, Barcelona had been defeated 2-3 after Juan Mata and Ruben Baraja discovered the web for Valencia.
Barcelona’s report on the venue
Total, Barcelona have managed simply two wins in eight Copa matches at Mestalla. These victories got here in 2018 with a 2-0 scoreline and in 1998 with a 3-1 triumph.
The remaining fixtures resulted in three attracts and three losses. Hansi Flick has solely visited Mestalla as soon as earlier than as Barcelona’s supervisor. That go to was in the course of the first matchday of the present league season, the place Barcelona secured a 2-1 comeback win.
With the stakes excessive and a wealthy historical past between the perimeters, Barcelona might want to ship a top-notch efficiency to advance within the competitors.