Valencia’s Copa quarter-final rivals in crisis as Athletic slump deepens | OneFootball

At the start of the week few would have backed Valencia to face Athletic from above in the table, yet with one matchday left before their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday 4 February, it remains possible. Athletic’s slide continued with a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla.

According to Superdeporte, the visitors arrive in crisis before Mestalla. They have taken one point from the last 18, among the worst January returns alongside Getafe, Alavés and Espanyol. Sevilla overturned Robert Navarro’s opener through Peque and Adams to leapfrog both Valencia and the Basque club.

Ernesto Valverde’s side are five league matches without a win.

Valverde accepted they are not precise and lack freshness, calling it a very negative league spiral. He said everyone must give more and stressed the league is the most important competition, while other tournaments may be taking a toll.

A 5-0 Supercopa loss to Barcelona on 7 January deepened the wound. A 3-2 win at Atalanta in the Champions League has been the recent bright spot, though failure in the play-off could drop them into the Europa League.

Before Mestalla, Valencia visit Betis on Sunday at La Cartuja, while Athletic face Sporting in their final Champions group game on Wednesday, then the Real Sociedad derby on Sunday. With injuries mounting, Athletic now lead Valencia by only one point, trimmed by six in two rounds, and by mood, fitness and home advantage Carlos Corberán’s team strengthen their case for a semi-final push at Mestalla.

Source: Superdeporte