Heroes of La Cartuja: Luis Milla

Luis Milla played for Valencia CF for four seasons, and was one of the key players in the 1999 Copa del Rey win. A starter in the final, the midfielder played the entire match. Some 23 years later, Milla talks to VCF Media about his memories of the day.

An eagerly awaited final

That year was very good for us, and it finished off with the cup. It was a final for which the Valencianistas were really longing. Many people went to Seville then, and this year’s final on April 23rd will bring back very good memories.

Running the play

We shared the responsibility. We used to play with two midfielders and Mendieta could also play inside. In that final, Farinós and I had more defensive tasks. I remember that that day there were several tactical changes to adapt to the opposition.

Tactics in the final

We were coming off a very good season, but the tactical approach changed a lot for the final. Ranieri wanted to surprise Atletico Madrid. We played with a line of three at the back, with two wing backs: Anglomá on the right and Mendieta on the left. Farinós and I played in midfield to adjust and balance the team. Then Ranieri did something that surprised me: He put Vlaovic close to us, without him becoming a reference, while Illie and Claudio Lopez played inverted roles between the wings and the centre. I think it was surprising because Atletico's central defenders had no one to focus on, and it created a lot of doubt in their marking. In addition, we were an aggressive team, judicious with the ball and very dynamic.

His third Copa del Rey

I had already won the Copa del Rey with Barcelona and Real Madrid, but I enjoyed the one I won with Valencia CF more. I don't know if it was because of the clear objectives that Valencia CF had at the time, because I felt that the fans needed a trophy after so many years, or because I was older and I experienced it differently, knowing that my career was coming to an end. Of the three cup wins, it was the one that made me most excited.

A special training session

I have good memories of the final, but the one that I remember most is of the training session the day before. We got used to the stadium with some light training, but the feeling in the group and in the club was of complete conviction that we were going to win the final. The harmony amongst us was very good. We had played a great semifinal and some extraordinary quarter finals. The team were very confident and convinced.

A perfect combination

When we arrived, some of the veteran players like Anglomá, Carboni, Djukic and I experienced criticism. I understand that the club signed us to give the team some strength and maturity, but things didn't work out at first. Despite our age, Valencia CF looked for very good professionals who wanted to contribute and give them what the club wanted. That maturity, combined with very hungry players and youngsters like Farinós, Angulo and, later, Albelda, made the team very complete.

A complete year

The Intertoto Cup allowed us to have a very good preseason. In LaLiga we managed to qualify for the Champions League and we finished the season incredibly well. In the Copa del Rey we had an extraordinary run, that ended up being reflected in the final.

Help from the fans

There was a lot of hope amongst the supporters. In the days before the game, we already felt that we had a very motivated fanbase behind us, who needed that cup. I remember how the fans were at the end of the game. The next day we went to Mestalla and I remember that moment there with my children. These are memories that stay with us forever.

The return to La Cartuja

I will experience it with great emotion. I'm sure I'll have very good memories come back to me. Hopefully Valencia CF can have a great game and win the cup, so we can mix our memories with current moments.

Cup history at the club

Valencia CF are a team that compete extraordinarily well. I think they have focused their efforts on the cup and playing against a team like Betis is going to suit them. Valencia CF are at their best when they can wait and run on the counter. It will be a very interesting game tactically.