Barcelona 1-2 Valencia: Copa del Rey winners thank Marcelino for making them a force again, while Barca question the authority of Ernesto Valverde
Its said that domestic cup finals arent given the importance they once had, but Valencia captain Dani Parejo obviously didnt get the memo. As the midfielder hobbled, tears streaming down his face, to collect the Copa del Rey from the King of Spain and lift Los Ches first trophy in 11 years, the picture the midfielder painted was anything but passive.Beyond the individual emotions, cup finals can still be significant in their pivotal nature. That was the case the last time someone upset one of LaLigas big two in the Copa del Rey, back in 2013, when Atltico Madrid beat Real Madrid in their own backyard and fired of a warning shot that showed it could be time to take the Colchoneros seriously again as a domestic force. A prophecy that was fulfilled one year later when they won LaLiga against all the odds.
Getty Images - Getty
4Valencia pulled off an almighty shock to crush Barcelona’s double dreamEqually, Valencias 2-1 win over Bara feels like a point of inflection in a number of ways. Most obviously, it is a key marker for the victors, certifying their most successful season since the golden era of Rafa Benitez, making 2019 a year in which Champions League football, a domestic trophy and a European semi-final were all achieved.Valencia have a squad built to achieve big things, and in the year of the clubs centenary the pressure to fulfil that potential and deliver silverware was huge. The expectations resting on the long misfiring club in Spains third city on this landmark year should not be underestimated. Their players and coach will have been reminded of it every day, in every human reaction they have. Parejos choked up comments, pitchside at final whistle, provided a glimpse into that weight.
Getty Images - Getty
4Messi pulled one back but it was not enough following a disastrous first-halfIve been at this club for eight years, and there have been really tough years. A club of Valencias size deserves far more joyous occasions like this. Weve made history in a huge year for us, our centenary, the captain remarked.Only four months ago, 2019 looked like it would be another of those tough years for Valencia. In January, when they sat an embarrassing 12th in the league table, Marcelinos position was in serious doubt. But Parejo led the rallying cry, sending a message from the dressing room to the people upstairs. Embracing his coach during a match against Valladolid for the eyes of the world to see, the next day he hammered home the message, insisting that a season shouldnt be treated as lost in January, and that there was ‘time and hunger necessary to reach our goals’. With the players as his shield, Marcelino wasnt sacked. Valencia ultimately finished fourth, and they are now cup winners. All thanks to the backing of a squad that fully bought into the ideas being sold by their coach, to the extent that they were prepared to put their own necks on the line to save his. Based on their resilience this year, they could yet push on to achieve even bigger things in 2020.Will Barcelonas players be prepared to stick out their necks for their own boss? Ernesto Valverde has just defended the league title, but following an era of dominance the expectations at the Camp Nou are so huge that the Blaugrana head has undoubtedly been hurt by Saturdays defeat, compounding the damage done by their slip-up against Liverpool. If Valencias win was a turning point in the right direction, then Barcelonas loss could be the one that sends Valverde in the other.
Getty Images - Getty
4Marcelino is doing a remarkable job with Valencia, making them a force once moreMuch like the way they let the Champions League final slip through their fingers at Anfield, it is the manner in which Barcelona lost against Valencia which really raises the alarm. Look no further than the three remnants of their greatest team ever for evidence: it is not often than Sergio Busquets repeatedly gives the ball away, Gerard Piqu sends a switch of play straight out for an opposition throw, and Lionel Messi fails to find Jordi Alba on the overlap with a diagonal pass he has completed countless times before.But that is exactly what happened to Bara in their disastrous first half this weekend. A mad 45 minutes to match a mad 45 minutes in Anfield, and a mad 45 minutes in Rome the year before. Three times where Barcelonas players just didnt look like they were buying whatever their coach was trying to sell. Valencias determination and commitment until the end in Seville was a stark contrast.
Getty Images - Getty
4Valverde’s future is a source of constant speculation, could he go this summer?Piqus post-match flash interview on Saturday was telling. Handed the chance to give the vote of confidence to his superior, the centre-back stopped somewhere halfway. You have to do an individual analysis on everyone, what we can improve. The future of the coach doesnt depend on us. We have a long summer to analyse and see what we can do better.Compare that to Parejos human shield of Marcelino back in the winter, and draw your own conclusions. While the Copa del Rey winners now look to be at the start of something special, the resurgence of one of Spains sleeping giants finally kicking off thanks to backing the right manager for the right time, the losers have a tough call to make. Faced with a summer of some considerable transition against a backdrop of criticism, is it time to intervene, or does their manager have the authority necessary to weather the storm?
Since the season is now over, its time to look at the best and worst managers of the Premier League 2017/18. It's been a record breaking season for Pep and his team - as they won the league at a
Eight top UK journalists have ranked every manager in the
Alex McLeish admits his Scotland side were nervous in parts as they laboured to a 2-0 win over minnows San Marino on Sunday. Scotland started their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign in miserable fashion, falling to an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Kazakhstan in the week.
Alex McLeish admits Scotland must 'kick on' after nervy win
Raheem Sterling offers funny explanation for FA Cup final rollicking from Pep Guardiola Manchester City completed a historic domestic treble whey they beat Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday. Having already won the Premier League and Carabao Cup, talkSPORT 3 hours ago
Do not steal goals, Raheem! Sterling offers explanation for
Steve McClaren has been sacked by QPR after a run of just one win in 15 Championship games. The former England boss replaced Ian Holloway in May 2018 but has been dismissed with the club in 17th, eight points above the relegation zone.
BREAKING: McClaren sacked as QPR manager
Harry Redknapp: Odds slashed on former Tottenham and West Ham
Wolves goal hero Jimenez reveals he is Liverpool fan and 'dreams' of scoring in front of Kop after falling in love during Miracle of Istanbul "But my dream is to score in front of the
Man City fans will enjoy Raul Jimenez's interview before
Sunderland transfer news: Black Cats sign Lewis Morgan on loan from Celtic Sunderland have signed Lewis Morgan on loan from Celtic. will now spend the second half of the season at
Report: Sunderland in talks to sign Celtic midfielder Lewis
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is set to replace Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus, according to a report in Italy. Now in his third Premier League season, the Spaniard signed a new deal with his current employers last summer which was due to take him to 2021 at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola 'remains the dream appointment' for Juventus
Sergio Ramos next club odds: Real Madrid captain linked to Juventus, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain The 33-year-old has asked for a free transfer away from the Bernabeu this summer By
Sergio Ramos next club odds: Real Madrid captain linked to
recovery The Brazil international missed the Reds' final three games of the season with a muscle strain Roberto Firmino returned to Liverpool's first team training ahead of next month's Champions League final. The forward last featured for the Reds in their 3-0 defeat at the Nou Camp in the first leg of their semi-final with Barcelona.
Liverpool injury news: Roberto Firmino returns to first team
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo charged with misconduct by FA after running on to the pitch to celebrate last-gasp winner against Leicester. Nuno said he was overcome with emotion at Diogo Jota's
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo set to be punished after
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been warned by the Football Association about his behaviour during Thursday's 2-1 victory against Liverpool. An animated Guardiola threw his scarf to
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola warned by Football
0 Comments