Six more teams from La Liga, including Atletico Madrid, will start their campaigns in this season's Copa del Rey on Wednesday, hoping to improve on their performance in the previous year.
FC Barcelona produced a rock-solid and very untypical defensive display to beat Real Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal.
Valencia who was hoping to add to its collection of eight cups, couldn't come out as winners even after scoring four spot kicks taken by Carlos Soler, Uros Racic, Goncalo Guedes and José Gayà.
Cornella goalkeeper Ramon proved to be the only resisting force against Barcelona in the regulation minutes of play as he saved a penalty in each half.
Tuesday night's defeat follows last week's exit in the semi-finals of the Super Cup and means Real Madrid have once again failed in the knockout competition.
Hailing Lionel Messi’s performance against Valencia in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, FC Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde said…
Barcelona dominated possession but had to wait until the 67th minute for the breakthrough.
Barcelona will be strong favourites to reach a fifth successive final, with Valencia missing a trio of key players -- Goncalo Guedes, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Ezequiel Garay -- through injury.
Simeone was sent off during Tuesday's 3-1 cup loss to Sevilla for protesting a decision by the referee, earning a one-match touchline ban.
A night to remember for La Blaugrana faithful!
