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Cup final dress rehearsal
Barca take on Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp at 20.00 tonight (live on R@dio Barca), 67 days before the two meet again in Valencia to decide who takes this year’s Spanish Cup.
Both teams are sure to be keen to put down a marker ahead of the Cup Final on May 13th, with both equally in need of the points right now, if for rather contrasting reasons. Barca will be hoping to put an end to their disappointing run of five games without a win and maintain their lead at the top, whilst Bilbao need a win to lift them well clear of the relegation battle just below them. Pressure on Tonight’s game isn’t the final then, but there is still plenty of pressure on Barca, who have seen their lead at the top whittled away over the last three weeks from 12 to just 4 points as they took just one point out of nine. Madrid, who also play tonight, have themselves enjoyed a winning streak and three points against Bilbao would certainly ease any possible doubts in the Barca fans minds. Four defenders out Both clubs are coming off hard semi finals in midweek and although they were successful, there’s still a price to pay. For Barca, Caceres’ red card in Mallorca means he’s out for tonight’s game, as are the injured Abidal and Milito. To add to Guardiola’s problem’s, a fourth defender, Dani Alves, is also suspended and so youngster Alberto Botia has been drafted in to the squad and may well get the chance to make his first team debut at some point tonight. Three out for Bilbao Bilbao are also missing players, with three of the heroes who figured in Wednesday night’s win over Seville not travelling for the game after picking up knocks: Aitor Ocio, David López and Ion Vélez. Crucial clash Tonight’s game is set to be a crucial point in this season’s La Liga campaign as Barca look to recover their form and their winning ways. It’s also, just as importantly, going to be a fascinating rehearsal for the Cup Final in Valencia. The Barca fans will be hoping that it’s their team who take the points in the first clash tonight and the Cup in the second act in May.
Both teams are sure to be keen to put down a marker ahead of the Cup Final on May 13th, with both equally in need of the points right now, if for rather contrasting reasons. Barca will be hoping to put an end to their disappointing run of five games without a win and maintain their lead at the top, whilst Bilbao need a win to lift them well clear of the relegation battle just below them. Pressure on Tonight’s game isn’t the final then, but there is still plenty of pressure on Barca, who have seen their lead at the top whittled away over the last three weeks from 12 to just 4 points as they took just one point out of nine. Madrid, who also play tonight, have themselves enjoyed a winning streak and three points against Bilbao would certainly ease any possible doubts in the Barca fans minds. Four defenders out Both clubs are coming off hard semi finals in midweek and although they were successful, there’s still a price to pay. For Barca, Caceres’ red card in Mallorca means he’s out for tonight’s game, as are the injured Abidal and Milito. To add to Guardiola’s problem’s, a fourth defender, Dani Alves, is also suspended and so youngster Alberto Botia has been drafted in to the squad and may well get the chance to make his first team debut at some point tonight. Three out for Bilbao Bilbao are also missing players, with three of the heroes who figured in Wednesday night’s win over Seville not travelling for the game after picking up knocks: Aitor Ocio, David López and Ion Vélez. Crucial clash Tonight’s game is set to be a crucial point in this season’s La Liga campaign as Barca look to recover their form and their winning ways. It’s also, just as importantly, going to be a fascinating rehearsal for the Cup Final in Valencia. The Barca fans will be hoping that it’s their team who take the points in the first clash tonight and the Cup in the second act in May.
Barcelona Official Website
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