MADRID, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Valencia entertain Real Betis in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal on Thursday night.
Valencia have an advantage going into the game after coming back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw in Betis' Benito Villamarin stadium three weeks ago, and the club desperately want to reach the Cup final in their centenary year.
Meanwhile, Betis travel knowing the final will be played at their home ground, and when the game starts, both sides will know whether they will face Real Madrid or Barcelona in the showpiece event.
10,000 fans turned up to watch Betis' open training session on Tuesday, while on the field the team bounced back from last week's surprise Europa League exit at the hands of French side Rennes with a 2-0 win against Valladolid at the weekend.
Valencia, meanwhile, progressed to the last 16 of the Europa League with a routine win over Celtic, but were held to their 15th league draw of the La Liga season away to Leganes.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia Toral insisted his players had to keep calm in the face of the pressure of reaching a major final.
"You play these games first with your head and then with your heart," he said, adding that when Betis had the ball, his side would have to defend very well.
"We are the only team, along with Real Madrid and Barcelona, that are still playing in every tournament and we have the chance to get to the final for the first time in 11 years," he said, before earmarking Sergio Canales and Giovani Lo Celso as Betis' main threats in midfield. Enditem
