Only one result matters in this Copa del Rey tie: win or go home. Valencia take a short trip north to Estadio Municipal El Molinón on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, for a knockout cup match that promises intensity and little margin for error.
Valencia arrive just above the LaLiga relegation zone and seek a morale boost after a gritty 121st-minute win in the last round. Sporting Gijón, buoyed by strong home form and clean-sheet cup wins, will be confident in front of their fans at El Molinón.
Coach Carlos Corberán stressed the importance of fielding competitive first-team players, managing minutes after the Atlético Madrid clash and assessing fitness ahead of selection; only Eray Cömert is ruled out while Yunus Musah Rioja and José Gayà are available. Corberán also highlighted tactical flexibility between a back four and the five-man defence that was used last season, while acknowledging the impact of Thierry Correia stepping up amid Hugo Foulquier’s injury.
Expect a physical, pressing contest: Sporting Gijón press high, like to play through midfield and rely on a striker who stretches defenses. Valencia’s cup pedigree means they will not take this Spanish Cup match lightly, and Corberán’s praise for the traveling support — especially the Grada de Animación — underlines how much the Valencia CF cup tie means to the club and its fans.
Key Takeaways
- Match is a single-leg Copa del Rey knockout at El Molinón on Dec. 16, 2025.
- Valencia are seeking stability amid league struggles after a late cup win.
- Only Eray Cömert is unavailable; Rioja and Gayà are fit and considered.
- Corberán will rotate but insists on competitive first-team selections (coach preview).
- Sporting Gijón’s pressing and home form make El Molinón a challenging venue.
Match preview: Valencia vs Sporting Gijón in the Copa del Rey
Valencia travel to Gijón for a knockout tie that should be tight and tense. The Copa del Rey preview frames this as a must-win clash for both clubs. Manager Rubén Baraja’s side will feel the pressure at Estadio Municipal El Molinón, where the home crowd can lift Sporting Gijón and make life hard for visitors.
Fixture details and kick-off information
Kick-off is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 20:00 GMT. The venue is the historic El Molinón, the oldest stadium in Spain and a demanding ground for away teams. Fans should note Valencia match time and local arrangements when planning travel.
Form and recent results for both clubs
Valencia sit 17th in LaLiga and come in on a four-match unbeaten run with just one win, a 1-0 over Levante. They lost 2-1 at Atlético Madrid but showed resilience and defensive improvement. Their cup run included a dramatic stoppage-time extra-time winner against Cartagena while down to ten men.
Sporting Gijón have built momentum in cup and league play, keeping clean sheets against Caudal Deportivo and Mirandés in the Copa del Rey. Their Segunda form has improved after earlier stutters, and they have not lost at home since September 28. Recent results show Sporting Gijón home form has tightened, with three goals conceded across six league games.
Prediction and expected contest narrative
- The match preview suggests a low-scoring, physical contest.
- Sporting’s fans and confidence at El Molinón kickoff will be a major factor.
- Valencia’s experience in cup ties and recent defensive shape give them a narrow edge.
Expect a tense game decided by moments of individual quality or late drama. The Copa del Rey preview points to a slender advantage for Valencia in what should be a tight 1-2 result, with Sporting’s home atmosphere making this anything but straightforward.
Team news, injuries, and selection battles
Valencia arrive in Gijón with focused team news that will shape the Copa del Rey tie. Manager Rubén Baraja confirmed a few key absences and spoke about his rotation plans for a busy week. The club faces Valencia injuries concerns after heavy minutes in recent fixtures, prompting fitness checks at training.
Valencia squad availability and manager comments
Baraja said Eray Cömert remains unavailable and that medical staff are monitoring players who logged many minutes against Atlético Madrid. He stressed the need to field a competitive eleven while managing workload ahead of the weekend.
There are important suspension updates to note. Baptiste Santamaría is suspended after his red card in the previous round and will miss the trip to El Molinón. The coach added that tactical flexibility will be key, with the option to switch between a back four and a back five depending on the match flow.
Key Valencia players to watch
Probable starters include goalkeeper Giorgi Dimitrievski, who will marshal a defense that may feature Diogo Leite and Carlos Copete as central options. Baraja praised Thierry Correia for his development after stepping up during Jason Denayer’s and Foulquier’s absences.
Midfield balance is likely to come from Pepelu and Javi Guerra. Lucas Beltrán is expected to add physical presence up front, with Hugo Duro or Gonçalo Almeida offering movement and support. Arnaut Danjuma could start if the manager goes for a more attacking shape.
Sporting Gijón squad news and likely XI
Sporting welcome back Lucas Perrin and Justin Smith from suspension, a boost to their spine. Manager Borja Jiménez favors continuity at home and is unlikely to overhaul the starting XI.
- Goalkeeper: Yoel Yáñez
- Full-backs: Miguel Rosas, Pablo Sánchez
- Center-backs: Javier Curbelo, Lucas Perrin
- Midfield: Martín, Justin Smith
- Creatives: Gerard Gelabert, Bryan Zaragoza or Óscar Corredera
- Forward: Álex Otero or Álvaro Vázquez
That Sporting Gijón lineup suggests a compact, defensively organized team that will press and aim to feed their striker on the counter. Final squad selection will be confirmed in late media bulletins with any last-minute injury or suspension updates announced before kick-off.
Match tactics and strategic keys for Spanish Cup matches
Cup ties demand clear plans and quick adjustments. Managers pick between risk and control while weighing league demands against the chance of a cup run. Small margins decide ties at El Molinón, where crowd intensity raises the value of calm, structured play.
Valencia tactical options and defensive priorities
Valencia can flip between a four-man defence and a five-man backline to blunt wide threats. Corberán has shown willingness to change the Valencia formation to keep opponents guessing.
Defensive compactness sits at the top of their checklist. The priority will be to limit counterattacks and stop transitions that feed Sporting’s striker. Full-back tracking and midfield shields are central to these match tactics.
Sporting Gijón’s pressing, shape and set-piece threats
Sporting Gijón press high and try to force errors in the opposition half. Their style blends possession with bursts of intensity, making the Sporting Gijón press a constant test for ball circulation under pressure.
Set-pieces form a clear attacking route. Physical center-backs, organized routines and home advantage at El Molinón raise the chances from dead-ball situations. Valencia must guard aerial zones and mark tightly on corners and free kicks.
Game-management and knockout-specific considerations
Substitution timing and player freshness shape knockout strategy. Managers must judge when to chase a result and when to protect a lead, especially after the toll of extra time in earlier rounds.
Tempo control late in the match and a clear contingency for extra time or penalties define the Copa del Rey tactics on matchday. Squad rotation should keep key starters competitive while preserving energy for league duties.
- Keep defensive shape to reduce transition chances.
- Use wing-backs or extra defender when facing wide attacks.
- Neutralize set-piece threats through zonal or man-mark setups.
- Plan subs with extra time in mind to execute the chosen knockout strategy.
Fan atmosphere, implications for the season, and media coverage
Expect a lively fan atmosphere at El Molinón. Sporting Gijón’s home crowd has been vocal since late September, and the stadium’s defensive form has helped create an intimidating setting. That energy will test Valencia’s resolve and shape how the tie unfolds on the night.
Valencia traveling fans are set to make their presence felt. Manager Carlos Corberán has praised the Grada de Animación and the youth who travel to away matches, noting club visits and early supporter engagement. A strong away turnout could swing momentum for Valencia, offering a brief lift from LaLiga pressure if they progress. Conversely, an exit would increase scrutiny given Valencia’s league position.
The wider implications are clear for both clubs. A Sporting upset would boost promotion-chasing morale and strengthen Borja Jiménez’s continuity message. For Valencia, cup progression could provide tactical confidence and ease immediate external pressure on the coaching staff, while elimination would sharpen headlines and fan debate.
Media interest will be broad. Copa del Rey media coverage will include match-day build-ups, lineup updates, and live commentary across major sports platforms. Bookmakers and mainstream outlets will carry previews and betting offers, and US viewers match time should be converted from the 20:00 GMT kick-off for local broadcast planning. Streaming and network details will follow from domestic rights holders and international broadcasters ahead of kick-off.
