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Copa del Rey final preview: Barcelona aim to finish poor season on high

After disappointments in Europe and the La Liga, can the Catalans salvage their season on Saturday?

Copa del Rey final preview: Barcelona aim to finish poor season on high

Barcelona forwards Luis Suarez (L) and Lionel Messi (Photo: AFP0

Barcelona have one final game to ensure Luis Enrique’ final game in charge of the Catalans ends with a flourish, but standing in their way are minnows Deportivo Alaves in the Copa del Rey final at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

Under the guidance of Mauricio Pellegrino, Alave have finished an impressive ninth place in this season’s La Liga and have reached the first-ever Copa del Rey final in the club’s history. 

Remarkable indeed, but what’s easy to forget is that the very same (or mostly same) Barcelona side had conquered the world two seasons prior and still posses too much quality to justify their favourites tag and lift their 29th title.

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Barcelona

A fifth consecutive final for La Blaugrana awaits, and a fourth consecutive title, which would make it easy to proclaim them champions before the match even begins.

However, Alaves are unbeaten in seven games and will prove a tough nut to crack, even if you consider the offensive firepower Barcelona have at their disposal. 

It’s time for Paco Alcacer to prove he belongs at the Camp Nou, in the absence of the suspended Luis Suarez and a strong performance in the final will go some way towards justifying his considerable transfer fee. The former Valencia striker is in line to make a rare start and he will be relying on the Catalans’ maestro Lionel Messi and mercurial forward Neymar to be on song as well.

Luis Enrique has a bit of a problem at right-back, with Aleix Vidal not 100 per cent fit and out of form, so may be forced to play a three-man defensive system on Saturday.

What they are saying: “To win we have to have the ball and make them run to tire them out, create chances and play our best football, if not it will be difficult for us," said Barcelona right-back Jordi Alba (www.fcbarcelona.com)

Injury concerns: Aleix Vidal (Ankle), Rafinha (Knee), Jeremy Mathieu (Achilles), Javier Mascherano (Hamstring),
Suspension Alert: Luis Suarez, Sergi Roberto

Deportivo Alaves

Nobody gave Alaves much chance at the start of the season but here they are, at the business end, competing for one of the most coveted trophies around.

Pellegrino has done a fine job with the 2001 UEFA Cup finalists, such a good one that perhaps this may be his last game in charge as bigger clubs come calling. 

Alaves play a compact 4-2-3-1 formation and while they have some key players, their biggest strength lies in the fact that they can choose from a variety of goalscorer rather than relying on one or two men.

What they are saying: “We have to be very satisfied with the team and the fans. We have a historic event, a final, and we will fight to be victorious. We just want to be champions,” asserted Deportivo Alaves captain and midfielder Manu Garcia

Injury concerns: Victor Laguardia (Knee), Rodrigo Ely (Muscle)

Suspension Alert: None

Fun Fact: The trophy, made of silver, weighs 15 kg (33 lb) and is 75 cm (30 in) tall!

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