Valencia CF Copa del Rey winners, Vicente Guillot, (1967), Ricardo Arias (1979) and Rubén Baraja (2008) chatted on VCF Media about their experiences in a Valencia CF shirt in the knockout competition and the importance of Mestalla and the fanbase in the cup ties, as well as running the rule around the team ahead of the decisive second leg against Athletic Club.

Guillot:

There were moments in which you would be in tears when you heard the fans behind you. They always support the team. This is a fanbase that practically deserve a monument in their honour. They have always been like this. These fans are always behind the team.

Arias:

It's going to be a very long, difficult and tense game. The last push that the players have comes from the stands. I think that it's fundamental. The most important thing is to win the game and get through to the final, however they do it.

The cup that we won in 2019, in the Centenary year, had a lot to do with the support of the fans. They were a fundamental factor, both in the quarter finals and the semi finals -and, of course, in the final.

Doubting what the fans can contribute means that you don't know what Valencia CF fans are like. Logically, there will be a spectacular welcome, that the players will feel. They like that, and it motivates them even more.

Baraja:

There is no doubt that Mestalla is going to make a difference. I think that the fans have a lot of desire and motivation. I hope that, like always, Mestalla helps.

Playing at Mestalla always helps, and the fans will be supporting the team to the fullest. They are going to show that level that this stadium provides in important moments. It has been transcendental the majority of times that we have achieved success. I'm convinced that it is going to be a pressure cooker.

You can see what this game means to the fans. It makes you focused on what you have to do in the game, and you go out there fully up for the match.