Like every good cup final, this season's Copa del Rey showdown has so many ingredients that mean both teams will be desperate to win it for such very different reasons.
The competition maybe much-maligned among the big boys in the early rounds, but when the sparkle of the trophy comes into view the interest suddenly escalates and given the run up this term, all eyes will be on Vicente Calderón on Wednesday evening.
Just under a week ago Getafe played what was described as the most important and most high-profile game in the modest Madrilenian club's brief history at the highest level as they took on European heavyweights Bayern Munich in a tie that they almost, and should have, won.
That feeling of disillusionment and pain could have been far harder to cope with had Michael Laudrup's team had to find solace solely in the league and aiming for a top ten finish in the last six matches of the term. Instead, and it is a big instead, the players can put their European exit behind them and focus on Getafe's next most important game in their top flight history.
Confident is high within the club as everyone from the president down to the players' that are not likely feature, with the coach and all the regular stars in between, voicing their belief that Getafe can win in order to give the fans something tangible to finally sing about.
Los Azulonas may not have been particularly pleased that their request to play Real Zaragoza a day earlier, last Saturday instead of Sunday, in order to give them the same number of days prepartion as Valenica was turned down, but they can take comfort in the fact that the final will staged just five kilometres from their home base.
Their opponents will have to endure the pre-match preparations of a typical away day and given some of the personality clashes in the changing room that stay in a hotel may mean that it is not ideal preparation for such an important game.
Neutral Backing
Getafe have sold their entire allocation of 21,500 tickets, while their opponents have not, as the timing of this encounter has fallen perfectly for Laudrup's team after Spain took the club to its heart last week for the encounter against Bayern. The fact that they lost in such a tragic manner only endeared them further into the public psyche and there may not be many neutrals backing Valencia in midweek.
If Laudrup does oversee a triumph, which would make headlines further afield just the Iberian Peninsula, then they may actually spell the end of his time at the club as it would only heighten rumours, that are already in full flow, that he is being targetted by some of Europe's more illustrious sides to take of them during the summer. Chelsea are the main candidates, but the Dane's future could come down to what he wants his future to hold.
Another season at Getafe could see him ideally position to follow in Bernd Schuster's footsteps with him stepping up to one of the big two in la Primera. Schuster is wanted next season at Madrid, but his discontentment at the Bernabéu may make his stay only a two-year stretch, while Frank Rijkaard's contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the coming season.
That is all for the future, but Laudrup's tenure could well be heavily influenced by the final as it could bring re-entrance into Europe and give Geta the means to attract a higher level of player than perhaps they could if the league and cup were their only ambitions.
How the destiny of the trophy effects the other team on Wednesday night remains to be seen with some players claiming that it could rescue Valencia's season, while others, including the club's hierarchy, say that it will not make a difference to the plans that have already been laid at Mestalla.
Los Ché's season has gone from slightly unenjoyable to watch, to poor and in recent weeks to farcical as Ronald Koeman has actually made things worse. Quique Sánchez Flores was kicked out in October with the team four points off the top of the table and still in the Champions League.
Dutch Courage
The football may not have been thrilling as Flores' preferred tactic of playing on the break was beginning to grate with the fans that wanted the array of talent in front of them to boss games and not sit and wait for chances. The board agreed and the coach was ousted and in his wake came Koeman, who did not start off on a good footing.
Discipline, professionalism and hard work were his by-words and after being advised, reportedly by ex-president Juan Soler, to watched out for David Albelda, Santi Cañizares and Miguel Ángel Angulo as they could cause him problems, one of his first acts was to freeze them out of the club. Whether he was carrying out orders or not, the move reportedly split the squad with some siding with the veteran players and others supporting the move.
Other players were also told in no uncertain terms that they were either not wanted or would not feature much as Manuel Fernandes was shipped off to Everton only six months after signing and Miguel was warned about his smoking and well-publicised nights out on the town.
If all this had helped turn the club around and lift them up the table then Koeman would have been hailed as a success, but instead it now appears that all his plans and ideas could have been laid only for someone else to be brought in during the summer. The new president, Agustín Morera, has said that the Dutchman's contract will be honoured, but has hinted that he could be asked to resign instead.
Ten wins in 32 games could yet be described as relegation form with Los Ché floating just five points above the drop zone with six league matches remaining. Morera has described the team's performances at home as the worst that he can remember and has dropped more than just hints that a serious overhaul of the squad will be undertaken in the summer.
That is why, to the players at least, the Copa del Rey final is so important because it will actually come as some light relief among the depressing and morale-sapping displays in the league. The official line from the club is that it will not make up for the recent displays, but for the fans and squad it will certainly help.
RECENT FORM
