Tavernes Heads to Mestalla for Copa del Rey Match Against Valencia

Coffee, gear loading and a mandatory 5:30 p.m. roll call

UE Tavernes is heading to Mestalla for a historic Copa match against Valencia, departing from their usual gathering spot at the Avenida bar, marca.com reported.

The team always meets at the Avenida bar on the highway exiting Tavernes de la Valldigna before every away game. Players park cars or walk up, grab coffee, chat, and help load gear onto the bus.

Today follows that exact routine with one change.

“Normally, if on the way we can pick up a player, we pick him up. But as this is the game that it is, we have cited everyone together,” Tavernes coach Edu Palomares ‘Tomaca’ explained to marca.com.

The squad gathers at 5:30 p.m. “A little earlier than normal, because getting into Valencia is going to be complicated and I don’t know how traffic will be. But that is already the club’s business,” Palomares added.

Two weeks of waiting and a disrupted schedule

Two weeks have passed since the original match was postponed. “Very long, very long,” Palomares told marca.com regarding the delay. The suspension disrupted plans for supporters who requested time off work to follow the team.

Palomares remains confident about the crowd support despite the shift. “I think the same people are going to come. They really want to come and support the team,” he said to marca.com.

A driver’s day off amid a train strike

Tomaca previously planned to clock in at 7:00 a.m. at his town’s cleaning company, where he works as a driver, and arrive at Mestalla straight after his shift.

“I will take my daughter to the university, because since there is a train strike it is going to be complicated,” he stated to marca.com. Afterwards, he plans for coffee with friends, match review, and lunch.

Simplicity and nerves against a First Division rival

Tavernes earned its cup berth by winning La Nostra Copa. Palomares took over the bench three weeks ago to lift the club out of the Lliga Comunitat relegation zone.

The talk is very easy: I just ask them to enjoy themselves, live the experience and try to compete with enthusiasm

“What I don’t want is for them to get nervous and not enjoy themselves, because nervousness leads to not being inside the game. And it’s already complicated to play against a First Division team,” he told marca.com.

Palomares keeps his starting eleven secret until kickoff

The tactical blueprint relies on defensive discipline. “Let’s see if we can hold the score at zero and have our options. May it not be for lack of trying,” Palomares stated to marca.com.

The coach keeps his starting eleven secret until an hour before kickoff. “When they enter the dressing room for the talk, an hour before, the eleven is put on the board, or on some sheets, and they know it from then on,” he told marca.com.