In to the quarter finals

Cup nights in this wonderful competition have brought so many joys to the red and white faithful and another one returned to Calderon and Diego Pablo Simeone’s men took the opportunity to progress in to the quarterfinals. The draw at Mestalla forced Valencia to go looking for an early goal. Simeone’s men were intelligent and well positioned arrived at Vicente Guaita's goal with fast transitions in the early stages of the match. Postiga was the first to try his luck but his shot went over the crossbar of Courtois. Diego Costa then had a chance that came to nothing after good build up around the area.

The cold sat in the Calderón slowly began to disappear and the team managed to get free from the pressure being put on by Pizzi’s side. Sosa, who was very active in his debut, tested the defense with a good crosses from the right but they were well delt with by Ricardo Costa and Mathieu. Valencia tried to break through, but could not against an Ateti who were being led by Diego Costa and the Atletico number 19 almost opened the scoring with a shot that cleared behin for a corner by Barragán.

With half time on the horizon, our titans set out to find the first goal. Sosa and Juanfran combined well on the wing, but the cross didn’t find anyone and then a cross from Godin was unable to be turned in by Arda. Valencia had an isolated chance but Courtois safely blocked a dangerous shot from Bernat. Thus end the first half played with both sides trying to imposed rigor and tactical offensiveness to the game.

Little changed as our side looked to continue after the break and after many atempts the goal came thanks to a majestic header from Godin. After two consecutive corner kicks, Gabi took the third with a superb cross to the far post for the Uruguayan Central defender to break the deadlock. Thereafter Atletico were impossible to stop. Raul Garcia crashed a violent left-footed shot off the post from Guaita. Needing to score, Valencia were stretched in attacks and Postiga had two good shots and but Courtois came off better with two huge interventions.

The meeting grew in pace and went crazy with both teams continually attacking the goal. The threats of Diego Costa again and again had the Valencia defense on the back foot with a good effort from Atletico striker, Tiago had the second with a left-footed shot that just beat the post. Soon after, Koke, who replaced Sosa, and Diego Costa with the header, tried their luck in front of goal. The anxiety was evident from the Valencia team as Pizzi multiplied his teams efforts going forward but the Atleti defense showed, as usual, they were unbeatable.

The last minutes were characterized by Valencia controlling possession against a well organised Atleti defense that gave nothing away. Diego Costa was the benchmark for his team and was trying to createchances on the counter attack. Cristian Rodriguez came close with a powerful volley that Guaita sent out for a corner but the keeper could do nothing to prevent Raul Garcia making it two from a corner. The match ended with a Valencia defeated and Atletico celebrating their passage to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey with the fans on top form again.