Sports

Barcelona to face Valencia in Copa del Rey semifinals

Barcelona to face Valencia in Copa del Rey semifinals

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

FC Barcelona's Gerard Pique reacts after scoring against Athletic Bilbao during a quarterfinal, second leg, Copa del Rey soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, January 27, 2016. Photo: AP

MADRID: Defending champion Barcelona will play Valencia in the Copa del Rey semifinals. Barcelona, which is playing in the semifinals for the sixth straight year, will host the first leg at the Camp Nou next week. Valencia, coached by former England defender Gary Neville, is back in the Copa del Rey semifinals for the first time since winning the 2008 title. Also in Friday's draw, Sevilla will face Celta Vigo. Sevilla, winner of all six of its Copa del Rey matches this season, will host Celta in the first leg. Celta is in the semifinals for the first time in 15 years. The team eliminated Barcelona in the 2001 tournament before losing to Real Zaragoza in the final.