Previews
SÁB 30.05.2015
At last, it has arrived, one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the season. After a long road and after climbing over many hurdles, Athletic Club and FC Barcelona will fight for the right to lift the Copa S.M el Rey 2014-15. The Camp Nou will be the stage for this great final, one that has all the ingredients to be a vibrant spectacle full of goals and attractive football.
The rojiblancos and the blaugranas are not just two of the most important clubs in the history of the Liga BBVA, but can also boast of being the authentic 'Kings of the Cup'. The two teams have won the trophy a combined total of 49 times, with the Basques winning it 23 times and the Catalans winning 26. This will also be the eighth final between Athletic and Barcelona.
A match for emotional farewells
This will be a particularly special game for Andoni Iraola and Xavi Hernández, two authentic legends who will see the game as their swan-song. The Athletic player will be playing his last game in red and white after 12 seasons with the first team, while this will be Xavi Hernández's last game for Barcelona at the Camp Nou
Team news Convocatorias
Athletic have two key absentees, as Óscar de Marcos is suspended and Iker Muniain is still injured. The Catalans meanwhile have a full squad available after Luis Enrique confirmed that striker Luis Suárez is "in very good condition."
The view from the dugouts
Aymeric Laporte, Athletic defender, gave his opinion about the match, his first ever final. "We are very nervous, but also very excited and feeling very ambitious. We know that Barcelona are a great team, but we have to play well and go looking for the win. They have a lot of talent and we need to take care of every detail."
Luis Enrique meanwhile insisted that the final "is one of the most wonderful games you could hope to play in, because of the atmosphere that the players will breathe in and because there is a title at stake." The coach also spoke about the motivation and ambition of his players. "After so many games the best part of the season is now here. We have two steps left to complete the season and now we hope to beat Athletic by playing good football."
© LALIGA - 2015