Valencia eye another 'Guedesazo' as Athletic return in Copa quarter-finals | OneFootball

In one of the club’s bleakest spells, the Copa del Rey is Valencia’s lone spark of optimism. The quarter-final draw brings Athletic Club back to Mestalla, the opponent from their last truly joyous night.

According to Superdeporte, Valencia have moved through the early rounds with authority against lower-ranked sides, even as their dire league position could blunt cup focus. Now a first top-flight rival awaits at the Avenida de Suecia.

Memories snap back to the 2022 semi-final, when José Bordalás’s team were not favourites yet rode Mestalla’s big-night energy into the final. A clean sheet and a stunning strike from Gonçalo Guedes from the edge of the area beat Julen Agirrezabala for a 1-0 win.

That ‘Guedesazo’ briefly returned a sense of glory and sent the supporters en masse to La Cartuja. Valencia then lost on penalties to Real Betis, but for a night they reclaimed their tradition of playing finals and competing for titles.

This season the club’s slide has continued and the league context is far less conducive to prioritising the cup. Even so, the competition again offers the chance to feel powerful with Mestalla behind them.

Source: Superdeporte