Valencia offer Mestalla for 2017-18 Copa del Rey final
As ever, a neutral ground that both finalists can agree upon needs to be found, with Madrid reluctant to host Barça and Valencia geographically convenient.
Valencia have offered Mestalla as host stadium for the 2017-18 Coopa del Rey final as the annual tug of wills between the two finalists, Barcelona and Sevilla, starts in earnest. Should the contestants and the RFEF decide that Valencia’s home stadium is the best option, the club’s board will throw open the gates to the 49,500-seater stadium on April 21.
The problems, as ever, are multiple. The final is scheduled on a Saturday and Valencia are away in match week 34 at Celta Vigo. That would mean that the final could be played in Mestalla without having to re-schedule any other Liga fixtures. Barcelona have expressed an interest in playing the final at the Metropolitano but with Atlético slated to host Betis that weekend, it would cause that game to be postponed.
Real Madrid's Bernabéu not an option
Sevilla, meanwhile, have expressed their desire to use Betis’ Villamarín stadium for the final, given that their city rivals are away but Barça are understandably not eager to travel to Seville and contest the game on what amounts to non-neutral territory. As is always the case, Real Madrid will not take kindly to any request to host the final at the Bernabéu if it involves their arch-rivals.
Mestalla has hosted three finals in the past 10 years: Two featuring Real Madrid and Barcelona and another between Athletic and Barça. Valencia also has the advantage of being well accustomed to hosting the final, with a fan zone that has seen ample use and transport infrastructure capable of dealing with the influx of fans.
