FCBARCELONA.CAT

21.03.2008 13:06

One defeat ends run

Roger Bogunyà

The Copa del Rey has been cruel to Barça as the only defeat that the team tasted all season in the competition saw them eliminated having already beaten such luminaries as Sevilla and Villarreal.

Frank Rijkaard's team defeated Alcoyano in their first round and worked their way through to play and knock out holder Sevilla before taking on Villarreal and winning after a very close couple of matches. The Blaugrana won through the three rounds before the semi finals, with two wins, four draws and no defeats. Valencia were next up in the semis.

Same as last term

In the first leg against Los Ché, the two teams drew 1-1 in Camp Nou and a high scoring draw or an outright victory in Mestalla would have seen Barça make it through to the final. But the home side won 3-2 and Barça were facing up to going out of the competition at the same stage as they did last season, when they were beaten 4-0 in the second leg of the semi final against Getafe.

Barça dominance

In the semi final against Valencia the Blaugrana dominated possession as they recorded an overall average of 61.55 per cent on the ball in Mestalla. The visitors also had far more chances on goal as they managed 15 shots to the hosts eleven and made more attacking passes with 121 recorded to Valencia's 117. Barça also put in more crosses with 35 balls into the area to the home team's 14. The most important statistic though, did not go in Barça's favour as they scored twice and Valencia scored three.

Henry is top scorer

One of the stars of Barça's cup run this term has been Thierry Henry who was the top goalscorer in the competition with four. The Frenchman scored a goal in each round as his efforts against Sevilla and Villarreal proved to be decisive.