Averaging one goal or one assist for each cup game he has played in this season, Messi has been relentless in his desire to have an impact on matches and has been involved in all five goals the last time the two sides met. PHOTO: REUTERS
MADRID: Barcelona can move another step closer to the second treble in the club’s storied 115-year history when they host Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
It is the third meeting between the two sides in the final in the past six years with Barca emerging victorious on their way to their first treble in 2009 and in Pep Guardiola’s final match as Barca coach in 2012.
Saturday will also see the Camp Nou say goodbye to club legend Xavi Hernandez, who plays his final game on home soil before his farewell in the Champions League final against Juventus on June 6.
The players, however, have their eyes set firmly on the prize. “We are very proud to have won La Liga and now comes the cup final, which although it seems like a minor trophy, matters just as much to us as the Champions League final,” said defender Gerard Pique. “It is another title in the club’s museum and here at Barca we only know how to win.”
Pique’s return to his best form over the past six months has been key to Barca’s run of 29 wins in 33 games. Barca conceded just 21 goals in La Liga but the defender understands why his displays have been overshadowed by the stunning form of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, who have 117 goals between them.
“When you win people always look to the strikers and when you lose to the defenders, goalkeeper and coach,” said the Spanish international.
In contrast to Barca’s treble chase, Athletic are searching for their first major trophy in 21 years since doing the league and cup double in 1983-84.
The Basques have already suffered at the hands of Messi this season as he played a part in all five of Barca’s goals in a 5-2 thrashing at San Mames in February.
However, Ernesto Valverde’s men improved significantly from a disappointing first half of the campaign to ensure qualification for next season’s Europa League and go into the final on an unbeaten seven-match run.
Confidence, therefore, is understandably high even in the face of a trip to the Camp Nou. “Barcelona aren’t invincible,” insisted Athletic starlet Inaki Williams. “We deserve a victory. We are going to give them a very hard game.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2015.
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