Valencia-Barça: Did you know?

Tonight's match will be a clash of styles, two interpretations of how should be played football. Guardiola’s men have scored the most goals (20) in the competition while Los Che have conceded the least (3). (via FCBarcelona.cat)

Here’s a list of interesting facts about the two teams in the Copa del Rey:

• FC Barcelona and Valencia have played against each other in the Cup 18 times. Barça has won 11 of the ties.
• When considering the five semifinal ties between the two teams, the record is practically even: three victories for Barça, two for Valencia
• In the five times the teams have faced off in the semifinals, the winner has always gone on to win the title.
• In the semifinals of the 1989/90 season, an incredible goal from Ronald Koeman 10 minutes from full time saw the Catalans through to the final. With the 1-0 at the Luis Casanova stadium, Barça was virtually eliminated from the competition, seeing that the away leg ended with 2-1. Barça won the trophy in the championship match over Madrid (2-0).
• The last time Valencia beat Barça in a Cup semifinal was in the 2007/08 season. Los Che, trained by Ronald Koeman, won the title in the end but they fought to stave off relegation in the League.
• The teams had to play a tiebreak match in the semifinals of the 1962/63 season, which the Azulgranas won by 1-0. The away leg ended with a one-all draw and the return leg with a two-all draw (no home-goal advantage was given during that time)
• The biggest goal margin in a Cup match between the two sides came in the 1952/53 season when Barça won by 5-0. The 7-3 win in the first ever Cup (Copa Alfonso XIII at that time) tie is also worth mentioning.
• Besides the semifinal duels, Valencia and Barça have played each other in the final three times. Barça won two (1951/52 and 1970/71) and Valencia won one (1953/54)