FC Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao
Competition: Copa del Rey Final
Match date: 30-05- 2015
Kick Off Time: 15:00 BST
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
FC Barcelona enter the weekend with 1 of their 3
targeted trophies obtained, and victory here would leave them with just
the UEFA Champions League Final to clinch a treble-winning season. It has
been a fantastic debut campaign for manager Luis Enrique, and while the
boss may not get as much credit as he deserves, he will certainly be
back next season. However, that could all change if FC Barcelona lose their
final 2 matches, and considering the fine form that Athletic Bilbao are
in, they would be wise not to look past Los Leones this weekend.
However, FC Barcelona will have their Copa del Ray Final
defeat from last season still very much on their minds as Saturday
approaches. They last claimed the cup in 2012 and will want to add to a
league-best 26 Copa del Ray trophies, and confidence will come from the
fact that they have won all 8 of their matches this season in the
competition. Furthermore, they have put a lot into the cup having
defeated top-flight opponents Elche, Atletico Madrid, and Villarreal,
and they should have what it takes against Athletic Bilbao, who the
hosts defeated in both meetings this season (2:0, 5:2). While Suarez is an injury doubt and will most likely sit out with an eye
towards next weekend’s UEFA Champions League Final, Pedro has smashed in 5
goals in the competition so far and is a perfectly reliable replacement
for the Uruguayan.
Athletic Bilbao team was able to salvage a horrendous
start to their 2014-2015 campaign and can now put the icing on the cake
with some silverware. While that may be a bit out of their reach, Los
Leones will still take Europa League qualification no matter the result
here, though with 7-straight unbeaten matches entering the weekend, they
will be confident. Furthermore, their first trip to the Camp Nou this
season saw them nearly stifle the Catalans as they finally conceded late
into the 2nd half (lost 0:2), and coming off the back of a 4-0 thumping
of Villarreal, a Los Leones title isn’t that farfetched of a
proposition.
However, while Bilbao have claimed the
2nd-most Copa del Ray titles in history (23), they have not won one
since 1984, and their 2 last visits to the title game have concluded in
defeat to FC Barcelona. They lost both La Liga meetings with the Catalans
by multiple-goal margins of defeat, and this Saturday’s title clash will
unluckily be played at the Camp Nou, where the hosts have built a
nearly-impregnable fortress in domestic action. Still, the visitors will
be confident and should give Barcelona a test here, especially with Suarez expected to sit out. Unfortunately for Athletic Bilbao and their
loyal support, they still must face Messi and a well-rested
Catalan defence.
Probable lineups:
Barcelona: ter Stegen - Dani Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Jordi Alba - Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta - Lionel Messi, Suarez, Neymar.
Athletic Bilbao: Herrerin - de Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga - San Jose, Benat - Williams, M. Rico, Aketxe - Aduriz.
