Koeman clings on to Valencia cup dream

Valencia CF coach Ronald Koeman insisted there "can be a lot of surprises in the Copa del Rey" as his side visit FC Barcelona in a semi-final first leg tonight.

Cup priority
The Dutch coach's arrival at the Mestalla Stadium in November 2007 did not prompt an upturn in their fortunes. Indeed, Valencia have slipped from fourth to ninth place in the Primera División since his arrival, and with a European berth for next season still a major priority, it is hard to underestimate exactly how important the last-four tie against Barça is for Koeman's men.

Surprise package
With Real Racing Club Santander welcoming UEFA Cup contenders Getafe CF in the other semi-final first leg this week, Koeman was adamant that his side would show a marked improvement on the performance that saw them lose 3-0 at home against Barça in the league on 15 December. "My team has improved since we lost 3-0 to Barcelona," he said. "We want to get a good enough result to be able to win the tie at the Mestalla in the second leg. Barcelona are the favourites and the best team around, but there can be lots of surprises in the Copa del Rey."

Better outcome
Koeman will be up against his former AFC Ajax and Netherlands team-mate Frank Rijkaard at Camp Nou for the first time since the 44-year-old took his SL Benfica side to the Catalan capital in the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. On that occasion, Koeman's men lost 2-0 to Rijkaard's side, and the man whose goal against UC Sampdoria at Wembley won Barça the 1991/92 European Champion Clubs' Cup will be hoping for a better outcome tonight.

Rijkaard hopeful
Barça, meanwhile, are on cloud nine after the 5-1 win against Levante UD which brought them within two points of leaders Real Madrid CF in the race for the title, but Valencia hope striker David Villa can bring them back down to earth again, having scored in his last four visits to Camp Nou. Either way, Rijkaard believes that "it's going to be a great match".