Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola, discussed the complication the Spanish Football Federation is having in deciding the venue for the Copa del Rey final.
The current La Liga champions are set to lock horns with Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey. The two teams qualifying for the final were decided after they emerged as winners from their respective fixtures on Wednesday night.
The Catalan Giants defeated Valencia with an aggregate score of 3-1 in the semi finals, whereas Athletic Bilbao knocked Mirandes out of the coveted tournament.
The two finalists have been decided but the Spanish Football Federation is having difficulty in deciding the venue for the final.
According to the rules and regulations, the stadium that hosts the final has to be a neutral venue. However, the Federation may choose to set the one it deems suitable should it come across any inconvenience.
Reports suggest three venues were nominated to host the final: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ramon-c30533 Sanchez Pizjuan and Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu.
Several reports suggest that Madrid were quite reluctant in offering their stadium, as they don’t want arch-rivals, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604, to lift a trophy in their home ground.
Pep Guardiola has expressed that he understands why Real Madrid are not willing to allow the final to take place in the Bernabeu.
While addressing the press, the Spanish tactician was quoted as saying:
"It is a fantastic stadium and has a large capacity, but I understand the reluctance of Madrid to host the game against Athletic there.
“I understand that in a final, if there is no predetermined venue like in the Champions League, you must seek out a neutral setting.
"So, I would not like to play the final at San Mames [home of Athletic Bilbao] because it would be an advantage to our rivals. But it will be the [Spanish Football] Federation who decides."
Barcelona are currently at the second place in the Spanish Primera Division’s standings and have a disadvantage of seven points against leaders, Real Madrid. However, Los Blancos still have a match in hand.
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