New Delhi: The heated Copa del Rey last 16 clash between Racing and Valencia ended all square, although Los Che finished the match with just nine men.
Valencia travelled to Racing Santander on Wednesday night in the last 16 of the Copa Del Rey, with the visitors looking to defend the trophy they won last season under the stewardship of Ronald Koeman.
Racing fielded a full-strength line-up with the exception of the on-loan Nicola Zigic who was ineligible to play against his former club, while Los Che drafted in Fernando Morientes and Vicente, who replaced David Silva and David Villa.
The tournament is reaching its business end and with the opportunity for silverware on the horizon both sides were looking to enjoy a decent cup-run to detract from their La Liga duties.
However, the early stages of this contest were a complete non-event. Racing, for all their endeavour, simply could not pose a genuine threat to the Valencia goal, and their new-look centre-half pairing of Maduro and Marchena were place under minimal pressure in a frankly drab opening half.
Racing were made to pay for their ineffectual play in front of goal on half-time as Valencia took a surprise lead. Fernandes drifted a corner into the near post, but Colsa, in an attempt to head the ball away from his sides’ goal, instead managed to flick the ball past his own goalkeeper and into the net. It was a horrible own goal, and also a lead that the away side scarcely deserved.
In the second half however the quality of football on show improved dramatically and it was mainly due to Racing’s incisive attacking that had been severely lacking in the first half.
Five minutes in, and they should have been level. Miguel brought down Jonathan in what was an innocuous challenge, but the referee pointed straight to the spot. On-loan Real Madrid man Garay stepped up but placed his kick too high and the ball crashed back off the underside of the bar with Renan completely stranded.
But Valencia’s reprieve lasted only another four minutes thanks to midfielder Lacen, who drew the home side level with a deserved equaliser. 1-1 and Los Che would need to dramatically improve their performance if they were to avoid Racing taking the victory.
Indeed Muniz’s side sensed victory and continued to put Valencia under pressure. Pinillos swung in a tempting cross into the near post which was met by Toni Moral but Renan got down instinctively at his near post to push the ball away, and then both Marchena and substitute Raul Albiol brilliantly blocked the follow-up efforts.
Knowing his side were being pegged back, Unai Emery brought on the big pairing, Silva and Villa, to attempt to conjure up a winner in the final stages of the encounter.
However, in the closing stages Valencia completely lost their discipline and finished the match with nine men. Firstly, Vicente was dismissed for stamping on Santander full-back Oriol, receiving a straight red card from the referee which put paid to any hope of his side pushing on for victory.
But while Vicente was stupid, the actions of Miguel were utterly chaotic. After a wild lunge on Serrano he proceeded to physically approach the assistant referee, and had to be dragged from the field by his manager Emery who rushed from the dugout to manhandle his defender. It was an utterly bizarre ending to what in truth had been a reasonably poor match, and now Valencia may have to face up to completely unnecessary suspensions for their upcoming league fixtures.
Racing however will be disappointed that they didn't manage to secure the win that their possession deserved.
Goals:
Racing:
Lacen (55’)
Valencia:
Colsa o.g. (37’)
Red Cards:
Valencia:
Vicente, Miguel
Racing: Coltorti; Oriol, Pinillos, Garay, Sepsi (Juanjo 87’); Colsa, Moral (Edu Bedia 75’), Lacen, Munitis; Serrano, Jonathan (Marcano 87’)
Valencia: Renan; Miguel, Marchena, Maduro (Raul Albiol 55’), Del Horno; Edu, Vicente, Fernandes, Angulo; Morientes (Villa 81’), Pablo (Silva 84')
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