MADRID, 19 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Villarreal, Athletic Club, Getafe, Elche, Mallorca and Espanyol will seek this Tuesday to continue alive in the Copa del Rey by facing the second round of the ‘KO’ tournament, in which a victory would allow them to extend their cup-bearer joy, after avoiding a first scare in their debuts in the competition.
After the break of more than a month due to the World Cup in Qatar, Spanish football returns with the second round of the Copa del Rey, in which 14 teams from LaLiga Santander participate, six of which will play their matches this Tuesday. In this round, the four qualified for the Spanish Super Cup -Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Real Betis and Valencia- continue to be exempt.
Thus, the teams have had a month to reset and leave the streaks prior to the World Cup obsolete to face the final stretch of 2022. Quique Setién’s Villarreal, who will face Guijuelo, arrives toned for the cup match, after win three -Galatasaray, Aston Villa and Napoli- of their four friendlies -they lost to Fenerbahce- this month without official commitments. In its debut in the tournament, the ‘Yellow Submarine’ destroyed (0-9) Santa Amalia.
For their part, the team from the province of Salamanca defeated the historic Deportivo de La Coruña in their debut with a resounding 2-0 to continue dreaming of the tournament. Although it seems an accessible rival for Villarreal, they will entrust themselves to their fort, where they have not lost since the first Cup tie last year, in December, against Rayo and on penalties. Thus, they chain 18 wins and a draw at home, and are second in their Second RFEF group.
This Tuesday one of the ‘kings’ of the tournament also reappears, such as Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic, who will play a classic regional derby with Sestao River, executioner of Ferrol and leader of Group 2 of the Second RFEF with a positive balance at home. Both teams met two years ago and the rojiblancos won (0-4).
Those of the ‘Txingurri’ did not give rise to the surprise against Alzira (0-2) to go to the break with confidence, as well as in the Champions League zone. This good work was confirmed in the preparation matches with four of four victories.
Like Athletic -with 24 Cup titles-, it will also be the turn this Tuesday of the cup champions Mallorca and Espanyol. The vermilion team will face off against Real Unión, who “killed” Cádiz at its premiere. Javier Aguirre’s men, who thrashed Autol (0-6) in the first round, will want to extend their good dynamics prior to the break -five games without losing-.
For their part, the ‘parrots’ will have to defeat an Atlético Paso that surprised the historic Real Murcia (2-1) to stay alive. The victory (0-3) of the Espanyol team against Rincón in the first round was an oasis in their crisis of results -only three of the last 15 points in the League-, which they hope to forget definitively on La Palma.
Getafe and Elche are the other two ‘First’ that will appear this Tuesday in this second round. The ‘azulón’ team will face an irregular Diocesano -only two wins in the last ten games-, after eliminating San Roque de Lepe in extra time (2-3). Meanwhile, the team from Elche will try to reconnect emotionally with what would be their second victory this season, both in the Cup, if they beat Guadalajara.
In addition, this Tuesday an Intercity-Mirandés will be played, which those from Anduva arrive after winning (0-2) at Vimenor, while the Alicante team got rid of Cirbonero (0-1). Lastly, Alcorcón from Primera RFEF will receive Cartagena from LaLiga Smartbank.
–COPA DEL REY MATCHES ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20.
CD Diocesan – Getafe CF. 19.00.
CD Guadalajara – Elche CF. 19.00.
CF Intercity – CD Mirandes. 19.00.
AD Alcorcon – FC Cartagena. 21.00.
CD Guijuelo – Villarreal CF. 21.00.
Real Union Club – RCD Mallorca. 21.00.
Sestao River Club – Athletic Club. 21.00.
CD Atletico Paso – RCD Espanyol. 22.00.