Barcelona’s Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao at the Vicente Calderon will be their last match under the tutelage of La Masia Graduate.
La Blaugrana’s run of success under Pep Guardiola will have its final chapter written as the Catalan club take on the challenge of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Calderon.
Since his arrival at the Camp Nou in the summer of 2008, Guardiola has added silverware galore to Barcelona’s trophy cabinet. The current crop has added 13 winners’ medals to their midst and have a chance of adding another one in their final match under the outgoing technical orchestrator.
Ahead of the Copa del Rey final, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique took out time to talk about Guardiola’s imminent departure and claimed that the thought saddens him.
La Masia academy graduate stated that he owes his development as a player to the retired Spanish midfielder, and claimed that all the players in Barcelona’s roster have improved under his tautology.
Nevertheless, Pique claimed that Guardiola’s departure is not the end of the world and believes that he is leaving the team in capable hands. The former Manchester United star gave his backing to Tito Vilanova, and opined that he will continue the project his predecessor started.
"His departure will be traumatic for me," the 25-year-old claimed. "I feel like I'm a better player because of him and the whole team has learned a lot from him.
"He will leave a gap, but Tito [Vilanova] will move us forward and do very well. Tito speaks the language of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604."
Pique showered praise on Athletic Bilbao as the date for the Copa del Rey final approaches. The Spanish international was in awe of Marcelo Bielsa’s tactical genius and complimented him for the change he has brought in their playing style.
However, when quizzed about their chances of success in the finale of domestic cup competition, Pique reckoned that the team plays better will triumph.
"With [coach http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelo-c23554] Bielsa, Athletic press a lot and it will be a very intense game," the centre-back enthused. "I see no favourite; it is a 50-50 game. So, we will fight hard to take the title."
The Copa del Rey is scheduled to kick off at 22 00 hours CET.
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