Sevilla seeking sixth Copa win, Celta a first triumph

The Copa del Rey semi-finals draw on Friday threw up a clash between Sevilla and Celta Vigo, with the first leg to be played in the Sánchez Pizjuán where the Andalusians will aim to gain an advantage as they seek a sixth Copa title and Celta will seek the all-important away goal in an effort to reach the club’s fourth final.

Celta have never won the cup and first featured in the final in 1948, where they were soundly beaten 4-1 by Sevilla, who lifted their third title. The city of Seville is also one that will not hold fond memories for Eduardo Berizzo’s side, who lost the 2001 final there in La Cartuja against Zaragoza, who ran out 3-1 winners. The same opposition defeated Celta in the 1994 final in the Calderón in a goalless match that Zaragoza took on a penalty shoot-out 5-4.

Sevilla are looking to reach their eighth Copa final overall. The Andalusians have lifted the trophy on five occasions, the first coming in 1935 with a 3-0 victory over Sabadell. Further triumphs followed in 1939 against Racing de Ferrol and 1948 in the aforementioned win over Celta. Sevilla then went several decades without participating in the final until a 2007 victory over Getafe, with Frédéric Kanouté scoring the only goal of the game in the Bernabéu. Sevilla’s most recent win came in 2010 in Camp Nou, where Atlético were defeated 2-0 through goals from Diego Capel and Jesús Navas.

So far this season the sides have met in the league once, with Celta running out 2-1 winners in the Sánchez Pizjuán.