Espanyol fight to progess in Copa del Rey; Deportivo avoid upset
New coach Constantin Galca enjoyed a winning start at Espanyol after seeing his side fight back from a goal down to beat Levante 2-1 and progress to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Former Romania international Calca replaced the sacked Sergio Gonzalez on Monday with Espanyol having won just once in eight league and cup matches, but they picked up another triumph on Tuesday night to go through 3-2 on aggregate. Levante took an early lead through Jose Antonio Verza to move 2-1 ahead in the tie, but Espanyol hit back with goals from Burgui and Felipe Caicedo to claim the victory and a place in the next round.
In another all-Primera Division clash, Real Betis survived a scare at Sporting Gijon before easing through 5-3 on aggregate.
Sporting lost the first leg 2-0 but gave themselves every chance of overturning that when a brace from rising Croatia star Alen Halilovic -- on loan from Barcelona -- put them 3-1 ahead on the night with 18 minutes to go. The hosts could not find a decisive fourth goal though, and late strikes from Ricky van Wolfswinkel -- his second of the game - and Alvaro Cejudo earned relieved Betis a 3-3 draw on the night.
Deportivo La Coruna were also made to work hard before overcoming second division Llagostera, a 1-1 draw at the Riazor seeing the hosts squeeze through 3-2 on aggregate.
Sevilla, who last won the cup in 2010, had no such problems though as first-half goals from Ciro Immobile and Jose Antonio Reyes earned them 2-0 second-leg win over Logrones, and a 5-0 win in total.
