Madrid, March 1 (BNA): Valencia may get a much-needed boost to their faltering defense with the return of Spanish international Jose Luis Gaya in the King’s Cup semi-final against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
The two teams tied 1-1 in the first leg in Bilbao. The other semi-final will be played on Thursday between Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano in Seville. Betis won the first leg 2-1, according to the Associated Press.
Valencia has the third worst defense line in the Spanish league, conceding 42 goals in 26 matches. Only Alaves, who finished second to last (44) and Levante, who finished last (51), were worse.
Valencia coach Jose Bordalas said he had “tried almost everything” to end the team’s defensive struggles, and was hoping Gaia would come back to help.
Gaia had to be replaced with a muscle injury in the second half of the 4-1 league loss to Barcelona on January 20. The left-back returned to training with the squad on Tuesday and looked perfectly fit.
Valencia are trying to reach the cup final for the first time since winning their eighth title in 2019.
The victory came under coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, who is now in charge of Athletic Club. The Basque Country club is trying to achieve the cup final for the third time in a row, after losing to Real Sociedad in 2020 and to Barcelona in 2021.
Athletic have been one of the most exciting teams in Spain this season, reaching the Spanish Super Cup final and defeating Real Madrid and Barcelona on their way to the cup semi-finals. However, he comes out of the 4-0 loss to Barcelona in La Liga.
In the other semi-final, Betis will try to defend his advantage from the first leg and back to the cup final for the first time since 2005, when he won his last major title.
Sevilla has been revamped since the arrival of veteran Chile coach Manuel Pellegrini in 2020, and they are third in La Liga and enjoying one of their best seasons in several years.
Rayo, veteran Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, is playing in the cup semi-finals for the first time since 1982 and is trying to reach the final for the first time.
insult