[Copa del Rey] Espanyol v Zaragoza (1 Viewer)
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Copa Del Rey Final Preview: Espanyol - Real Zaragoza
The battle not to labelled as favourites for the Copa Del Rey Final has been the major talking point as Real Zaragoza and Espanyol both want to be deemed the underdogs for the game in El Bernabéu on Wednesday evening.
BACKGROUND
Despite Zaragoza having won the Spanish cup twice in the last six years and improving rapidly under Víctor Muñoz, the Aragónese outfit believe that there is little to choose between themselves and Espanyol.
That is not convincing claim to make after their impressive run to the final and the fact that they are safely placed in mid-table and have no worries about either going down or reaching Europe via the league.
Muñoz is keen to see his team not being cast as the stronger team as he believes it would take the edge off their performance as the side have progressed to this stage against traditionally stronger opposition.
Espanyol have plenty to worry about in the league and view the game against Zaragoza as a pleasant break from the relegation scrap which they are currently engaged in each weekend.
The Parakeets' boss Miguel Ángel Lotina has already stated that he will step down as coach at Montjuïc at the end of the season and would like to go out with a trophy under his belt.
To help his cause, the former Celta boss has used the build-up to see that his struggling team are viewed as underdogs in order to lift morale among his players and form a sense of unity.
After various statements in the press regarding the difference in strength and form between the two sides, Lotina was castigated by his opposite number who was not impressed by attempts to raise the tension.
"That is the problem with Lotina," Muñoz stated. "He is always moaning and playing the victim.
"It is no secret that he is worried about our forwards and playmakers, but we are worried about theirs as well."
Two years ago Zaragoza caused a sensation when they won the cup at Espanyol's Estadi Olímpic against Real Madrid when an extra time goal from Luciano Galletti gave them a 3-2 victory.
Espanyol have also won the trophy recently, when they defeated Atlético Madrid 2-1 in Mestalla after a goalkeeping error from Toni gifted the Parakeets the win.
In early rounds the cup in Spain raises little interest and even the pre-match build-up to this year's event only began in earnest two days before the match itself.
For the clubs involved it is a grand occasion though and allied with the chance of adding some silverware to the collection, the prospect of playing European football is also on offer.
After an incredible campaign last year, Espanyol enjoyed a revenue-boosting run in the UEFA Cup this term and made it through the group stages before being knocked out by Schalke 04.
Zaragoza's continuing improvement under Muñoz is a sign that the coach that began the revolution at Villarreal, is slowly building the La Romareda-based side into a force in Spanish football.
Ewerthon is desperate to score in the final as he has netted a goal in every round so far, although in the opening game against Alicante his effort was a spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.
HOW THEY REACHED THE FINAL
Espanyol: Thanks to being involved in European competition, the Parakeets did not have to begin their Copa Del Rey campaign until after Christmas. In the first tie Lotina's men defeated a Getafe side that were on their way down after a strong start to the campaign, before beating Cádiz in both legs to ease into the semi-finals. Deportivo La Coruña were the strongest opposition that Espanyol had faced in the cup, but Walter Pandiani netted a late winner in the first leg in Montjuïc meant that in the second game they could defend. The match in Riazor was played five weeks after the opening encounter due to the blanciazul's involvement in the UEFA Cup and ended in a goalless draw which saw Espanyol advance to the final.
Real Zaragoza: Alicante almost caused an upset in the very first round when they held Muñoz's team to a 1-1 draw before the top flight side edged through on penalties to set up a tie with Xerez. The high-flying Andalucian outfit also proved to be a difficult hurdle and Zaragoza needed another penalty shoot-out to progress after a 2-2 draw. After surviving those two early scares, the Aragónese side lifted their game and saw off Atlético Madrid, before winning headlines by beating Barcelona and ending the Catalan team's 24-match unbeaten run. The best was yet to come though as Real Madrid visited La Romareda and the home team produced a remarkable performance to win 6-1. The second game in the Bernabéu saw a shell-shocked Zaragoza hang on and edge through after being beaten 4-0 as Los Merengues almost completed an unexpected comeback.
TEAM NEWS
Espanyol: Martin Posse is the only definite absentee from the Parakeets' squad after Albert Lopo and Fredson look to have recovered from knocks. Lotina has refused to name a starting team to the media ahead of the game and was keen to hear what line-up Zaragoza would use before deciding on his own side.
Real Zaragoza: Muñoz is expected to name the same team that has reached the final as he has usually reverted to the same starting side in each cup game. This means that Savio will start on the bench, while Ewerthon and Diego Milito will lead the attack.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS:
Espanyol: Kameni, Zabaleta, Jarque, Lopo, Pochettino, Domi, Costa, Fredson, De la Peña, Luis García. Tamudo
Real Zaragoza: César, Ponzio, Alvaro, G. Milito, Toledo, Óscar, Zapater, Celades, Cani, Ewerthon, D. Milito
PREDICTION
While Muñoz claims that Espanyol can be inconsistent and therefore unpredictable, Zaragoza have not been easy to read in recent weeks as they have won twice, drawn twice and lost twice in their last six matches. The final is all that the Aragónese side have left to fight for this season, Espanyol have the task of ensuring that they are playing top flight football next season as they sit just two points above the drop zone in La Primera. Whether the league worries are a distraction or whether the cup sees Espanyol's players able to relax and enjoy themselves remains to be seen. The game will be tight, but both sides are capable of scoring goals and that is why a draw could be the outcome with the destination of the cup being decided on penalties.
Espanyol 2-2 Real Zaragoza (Espanyol to win on penalties)
The battle not to labelled as favourites for the Copa Del Rey Final has been the major talking point as Real Zaragoza and Espanyol both want to be deemed the underdogs for the game in El Bernabéu on Wednesday evening.
BACKGROUND
Despite Zaragoza having won the Spanish cup twice in the last six years and improving rapidly under Víctor Muñoz, the Aragónese outfit believe that there is little to choose between themselves and Espanyol.
That is not convincing claim to make after their impressive run to the final and the fact that they are safely placed in mid-table and have no worries about either going down or reaching Europe via the league.
Muñoz is keen to see his team not being cast as the stronger team as he believes it would take the edge off their performance as the side have progressed to this stage against traditionally stronger opposition.
Espanyol have plenty to worry about in the league and view the game against Zaragoza as a pleasant break from the relegation scrap which they are currently engaged in each weekend.
The Parakeets' boss Miguel Ángel Lotina has already stated that he will step down as coach at Montjuïc at the end of the season and would like to go out with a trophy under his belt.
To help his cause, the former Celta boss has used the build-up to see that his struggling team are viewed as underdogs in order to lift morale among his players and form a sense of unity.
After various statements in the press regarding the difference in strength and form between the two sides, Lotina was castigated by his opposite number who was not impressed by attempts to raise the tension.
"That is the problem with Lotina," Muñoz stated. "He is always moaning and playing the victim.
"It is no secret that he is worried about our forwards and playmakers, but we are worried about theirs as well."
Two years ago Zaragoza caused a sensation when they won the cup at Espanyol's Estadi Olímpic against Real Madrid when an extra time goal from Luciano Galletti gave them a 3-2 victory.
Espanyol have also won the trophy recently, when they defeated Atlético Madrid 2-1 in Mestalla after a goalkeeping error from Toni gifted the Parakeets the win.
In early rounds the cup in Spain raises little interest and even the pre-match build-up to this year's event only began in earnest two days before the match itself.
For the clubs involved it is a grand occasion though and allied with the chance of adding some silverware to the collection, the prospect of playing European football is also on offer.
After an incredible campaign last year, Espanyol enjoyed a revenue-boosting run in the UEFA Cup this term and made it through the group stages before being knocked out by Schalke 04.
Zaragoza's continuing improvement under Muñoz is a sign that the coach that began the revolution at Villarreal, is slowly building the La Romareda-based side into a force in Spanish football.
Ewerthon is desperate to score in the final as he has netted a goal in every round so far, although in the opening game against Alicante his effort was a spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.
HOW THEY REACHED THE FINAL
Espanyol: Thanks to being involved in European competition, the Parakeets did not have to begin their Copa Del Rey campaign until after Christmas. In the first tie Lotina's men defeated a Getafe side that were on their way down after a strong start to the campaign, before beating Cádiz in both legs to ease into the semi-finals. Deportivo La Coruña were the strongest opposition that Espanyol had faced in the cup, but Walter Pandiani netted a late winner in the first leg in Montjuïc meant that in the second game they could defend. The match in Riazor was played five weeks after the opening encounter due to the blanciazul's involvement in the UEFA Cup and ended in a goalless draw which saw Espanyol advance to the final.
Real Zaragoza: Alicante almost caused an upset in the very first round when they held Muñoz's team to a 1-1 draw before the top flight side edged through on penalties to set up a tie with Xerez. The high-flying Andalucian outfit also proved to be a difficult hurdle and Zaragoza needed another penalty shoot-out to progress after a 2-2 draw. After surviving those two early scares, the Aragónese side lifted their game and saw off Atlético Madrid, before winning headlines by beating Barcelona and ending the Catalan team's 24-match unbeaten run. The best was yet to come though as Real Madrid visited La Romareda and the home team produced a remarkable performance to win 6-1. The second game in the Bernabéu saw a shell-shocked Zaragoza hang on and edge through after being beaten 4-0 as Los Merengues almost completed an unexpected comeback.
TEAM NEWS
Espanyol: Martin Posse is the only definite absentee from the Parakeets' squad after Albert Lopo and Fredson look to have recovered from knocks. Lotina has refused to name a starting team to the media ahead of the game and was keen to hear what line-up Zaragoza would use before deciding on his own side.
Real Zaragoza: Muñoz is expected to name the same team that has reached the final as he has usually reverted to the same starting side in each cup game. This means that Savio will start on the bench, while Ewerthon and Diego Milito will lead the attack.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS:
Espanyol: Kameni, Zabaleta, Jarque, Lopo, Pochettino, Domi, Costa, Fredson, De la Peña, Luis García. Tamudo
Real Zaragoza: César, Ponzio, Alvaro, G. Milito, Toledo, Óscar, Zapater, Celades, Cani, Ewerthon, D. Milito
PREDICTION
While Muñoz claims that Espanyol can be inconsistent and therefore unpredictable, Zaragoza have not been easy to read in recent weeks as they have won twice, drawn twice and lost twice in their last six matches. The final is all that the Aragónese side have left to fight for this season, Espanyol have the task of ensuring that they are playing top flight football next season as they sit just two points above the drop zone in La Primera. Whether the league worries are a distraction or whether the cup sees Espanyol's players able to relax and enjoy themselves remains to be seen. The game will be tight, but both sides are capable of scoring goals and that is why a draw could be the outcome with the destination of the cup being decided on penalties.
Espanyol 2-2 Real Zaragoza (Espanyol to win on penalties)
