The Spanish international has voiced his anticipation prior to his side’s clash against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelo-c23554 Bielsa’s men later this month.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604’s Xavi Hernandez has expressed that the Catalan giants eagerly await the final of the Copa del Rey, insisting that he expects the match to be a close encounter.
The Nou Camp outfit are set to take up the challenge of Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey. The coveted tournament’s showpiece event is set to take place at Atletico Madrid’s home stadium, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Calderon.
The match which takes place on May 25th will see the two teams come out with all guns blazing as it presents a final opportunity to redeem the current season’s performance.
Xavi stated that he is looking forward to a great match as he believes that the encounter between the two teams will be quite memorable.
Although Barca have been tipped as heavy favourites to secure the silverware, the midfield maestro has decided not to appear too confident ahead of the final.
The World Cup winner claimed that he expects Bilbao to present quite a challenge for La Blaugrana. He maintained that Bielsa’s men will be looking to do anything to win the match as they recently slumped out in the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.
The Basque outfit were humbled to a 3-0 defeat by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-c11058 Simeone’s men in the final of Europa League earlier this month.
The Copa del Rey finale is set to be thrilling as both sides, Azulgrana and Los Leones, need to win the match in an attempt to end the season on a high note.
While talking to reporters, Xavi was quoted as saying:
"They are very demanding opponents, because they mark man to man. They are a physically strong side, they run for 90 minutes and create a lot of pressure up front. [Fernando] Llorente, for example, never stops running. Such intensity doesn’t leave us with
much time to think. It’ll be a great match. I think it’ll be very tough and physical."
Can Barcelona add another Copa del Rey trophy to their coffers, or will they suffer defeat at the hands of Bilbao? We can only find out.
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