The triumph of Atletico of Madrid over Levante put the end to the eliminatory of the Cup that finished at the penalty shoot-out. To obtain the pass to eighth finals Aguirre’s players had to claim to the epic against a hard and difficult Levante that planned a conservative strategy with the objective to obtain the maximum profitability of the goal scored y Nino at Calderon, and the energy of Fernando Torres few minutes for the end and the saviour goal of ‘Kun’ Agüero at 91’ forced to an extra time that ended in a red and white victory after the penalty shoot-out.

The pass to eighth finals was very expensive to achieve from the beginning. The few people at the stands of Ciudad of Valencia Stadium hardly could watch occasions at the first half in which both teams showed respect for the rival: Lopez Caro’s players count with the advantage in the eliminatory and they found the manner to keep Atletico of Madrid far away of Cavallero’s area, while Aguirre’s players were paying attention in defence facing to the possible fast breaks of their rival.

The Madrilenian got from the beginning the possession of the ball, but driving the ball far away of the rival’s area. Riga opened the hostilities at 13’ when culminated a fast break with a shot that crashed against the right post and Dehu also looked for the goal in a header that left high. At the red and white sides Jurado sent a shot to the crossbar from the front of the area and Gabi surprised from far away with a strong shot that touch the crossbar. Ending the first half, Torres culminate an individual play on the right wing sending a centre to the area, where Pernia sent it to Gabi so he was able to beat Cavallero, although the Argentinean goalkeeper blocked the shot with a great move.

The second half brought novelties for the red and white team, with the entry of Luccin and Galletti instead of Costinha and Seitaridis. The intention was to give oxygen to the midfield and to get more depth in the forward line. Atletico was fighting for the match and still was to come the contribution of Agüero, who entered at 60’ for Valera. With the Argentinean on the field the connection Torres-Agüero worked again and revolutionized the match.

A connection between both players caused at 75’ a play in which the captain drove the ball till the front of the area and made a sharp shot that left very close to the left post of Cavallero. Atletico bottled their rival hidden in the cave and Torres tried it again with a right footed that crashed into the post. Luck didn’t seem to be on the red and white side and already in the extra time Agüero cause a sensation: the Argentinean controlled the ball in the area, got rid of his marker by a sensational dribbling and beat the goalkeeper with a low shot.

Both teams faced the extra time with their forces reduced after 90 minutes of fighting and they hardly had occasions. Kapo and Camacho tried it for Levante at the first half of the extra time, while Riga tried out the nervous of the red and white supporters after scoring a great goal that the referee disallow because the burgundy player controlled the ball with the hand. The extra time was over and luck smiled to Atletico in the penalties because they failed just the first shot – Fernando Torres- as opposed to the two kicks failed by Kapo and Ze Maria for Levante.

Finally red and white celebration at Ciudad of Valencia Stadium and the fixed sight at the eighth finals of King’s Cup, where the Osasuna of Ziganda waits for the fight to pass to quarterfinals.


Photo: www.clubatleticodemadrid.com