Roberto Gil: "I hope Parejo has the honour of lifting the Copa del Rey for Valencia CF, as I did in 1967"

On July 2nd, 1967, a packed  Chamartin stadium hosted a Copa del Rey final between Valencia CF and Athletic Club. It was another triumph for VCF, and one that ended with captain Roberto Gil lifting the cup aloft.

The former player met with VCF Media ahead of this Saturday's game against FC Barcelona in Seville, and he both remembered that day 52 years ago and expressed his desire for a 2019 repeat.

"It was a very tough game, like every match against Athletic. Jara scored in the first half and Paquito in the second. They made it 2-1 and they pushed hard in the final minutes. We had to fight to the fullest to achieve victory and bring another trophy back to Valencia -our first since the Fairs Cup in 1962-63," recalls Gil.

"I hope Parejo has the honour of lifting the Copa del Rey for Valencia CF, as I did in 1967. It is an unforgettable moment that I still remember a lot. We had an excellent cup campaign, eliminating Cadiz, Betis, Real Madrid and, with great difficulty, perhaps the best Elche side in history. I really wanted to play that final after losing twice in the semifinals against Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona. Fortunately, we defeated Athletic and returned home with the cup to celebrate with our fans. It was very special to me as captain, as a Valencian and as a Valencianista."

As for this year's final, Gil will be watching the match on television at home with his wife, and emphasises that "This is a very difficult game for both sides. It is worth remembering that Valencia CF have played very well against Barça. This season they have been able to score first against them, and that, in a final, can be very important. We have to win the final with the weapons we have, be very solid at the back and attack them on the counter. If we can also keep Messi, the only player capable of winning a game by himself, under control, we will have a chance to win the Copa del Rey."

The former club captain also believes that last weekend's events will provide a boost.

"Having achieved the Champions League in the last game will give even more strength to the players in a season that has been so demanding, with more than 60 games played. I would be thinking 'There's only one game left, I'm going to give everything, win the Cup and then rest.' It will not be easy, but if there is a team capable of defeating Barça, it's Valencia CF."