Barca season ends with a whimper

At the very end of a season unlike any he had ever experienced before, Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia Toral sat there wearing a smile twice as wide as his face. Outside the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, it was late, it was hot and the fans were singing, celebrating winning the Copa del Rey – their first trophy in 11 years.

For Marcelino, at 53, it was a first ever. He had never even beaten Barcelona before. Now, at last, he had – and in a Final. Valencia’s centenary season had culminated in triumph. “We won!” Marcelino grinned, slapping at the