Today, at 9:30 p.m., Valencia faced Athletic Club de Bilbao at the Mestalla with the aim of gaining a foothold in the Copa del Rey grand final. The match played in the Valencian city corresponds to the second leg of the semifinals of said competition. The first leg played at the Nuevo San Mamés ended in a tie at one.
Before the initial whistle, both teams knew that they were playing for a place in the final that will be played in Seville. So much so that the two teams began the game with increased intensity. The first clear opportunity would be for Valencia, in the boots of Bryan Gil, he was dribbling rivals until he managed to hit the ball to the Bilbao goal but the shot was repelled to a corner kick. In the 25th minute, Gabriel Paulista would make a dangerous foul that cost him the first yellow card of the match.
Captain Ché was unable to finish the first half of this semi-final due to a muscle injury. In the 32nd minute, Toni Lato entered the pitch to relieve his teammate. Athletic’s clearest chance came in the 40th minute, Iker Muniain filtered an exquisite ball to Iñaki Williams which he failed to convert. Right after, in the 42nd minute, Gonzalo Guedes took a shot that was impossible for the Basque goalkeeper, thus putting the locals ahead. This is how the first half of the match would end.
Around 15 minutes into the second half, Marcelino’s team was preparing three changes at the same time, they were going to enter the field of play Sancet for Dani García, Unai Vencedor for Lekue and Petxarroman for Raul García, the Bilbao coach sought with these changes to give him depth to the team and try to reverse the score. There would be movements on the benches again, on the part of Bilbao, Nico Williams would enter for Berenguer, while Bordalás gave entrance to Musah, who replaced Bryan Gil.
Athletic made continuous attempts to establish a tie on the scoreboard but none without success. In the 81st minute, Guillamón entered the pitch. The Basque team tried until the last moment, but it was not enough, even Valencia in 96 had an opportunity to establish what would be two to zero.
Valencia will meet their rival for the Copa del Rey final tomorrow, when the winner of the match that will be played at 9:00 p.m. at the Benito Villamarín is known, in the clash that will be played by Real Betis against Rayo Vallecano.
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