As the Copa del Rey quarter – final kicks off on February 5th at 04:00, Valencia will welcome Athletic Bilbao to Mestalla Stadium in a highly – anticipated encounter. Here’s a deep dive into what fans can expect from this Spanish cup showdown.
Valencia: Aiming for a Cup Resurgence
Valencia heads into this match desperate to bounce back from their 1 – 2 La Liga defeat to Real Betis. In the Copa del Rey, they’re determined to leverage home – field advantage—evidenced by the news that only seven tickets remain for the game, showing strong fan enthusiasm.
Defensively, the team faces setbacks: goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín and defender Étienne Capoue are sidelined due to injuries. These absences will test Valencia’s backline, but coach Ernesto Valverde is confident in the squad’s resilience. At Mestalla, Valencia has historically performed steadily, and they’ll look to use this familiarity to control possession and hit Bilbao on the counter.
Athletic Bilbao: Battling Form and Fitness Woes
Athletic Bilbao arrives at this fixture in dire straits. In La Liga, they’ve won just 1 of their last 10 games (1 win, 4 draws, 5 losses), leaving them deep in the relegation zone. Injury troubles have compounded their struggles: central defender Asier Villalibre and midfielder Iñigo Lekue are out, disrupting their defensive solidity and midfield creativity.
Without these key players, Bilbao’s tactics will likely rely on counter – attacks. However, their defensive lapses (they’ve conceded frequently in recent weeks) could be exploited by Valencia’s pacey forwards. Manager Ernesto Valverde (no relation to Valencia’s coach) will need to find a balance between containing Valencia and creating scoring opportunities.
Tactical & Form Breakdown
- Valencia’s Form: Over their last 10 games, Valencia has 4 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses—showing signs of consistency. Their “park – the – bus” defense paired with quick transitions is a threat, but Marchesín’s injury means backup goalkeepers must step up.
- Bilbao’s Struggles: Bilbao has lost 5 of their last 10 league games and lacks confidence. Their midfield, usually a strength, is disjointed without Lekue, and Villalibre’s absence leaves a gap in central defense.
- Head – to – Head & Stakes: Historically, Athletic Bilbao holds a narrow edge over Valencia in competitive clashes. But this time, Valencia’s home advantage and hunger for silverware could tip the scales. A Copa Del Rey win would reignite Valencia’s trophy hopes, while Bilbao desperately needs a positive result to revive their season.
This quarter – final is a battle of resilience: Valencia chases redemption, and Bilbao fights for survival—both on and off the pitch. With injuries shaping lineups and form dictating momentum, fans can expect a tense, tactical affair at Mestalla.
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