Athletic have just lost to Real Sociedad in the 2019/20 final, having only been played in 2021, while Los Cules are keen to ensure their season does not end without a trophy.
It will be a 100 per cent difficult game
Leading up to the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made it clear that while the club’s Supercopa de Espana defeat to the same rivals early this season is no motivation for them, the result remains in their mind. Athletic have just lost to Real Sociedad in the 2019/20 final, having only been played in 2021, while Los Cules are keen to ensure their season does not end without a trophy. “For us, it is an opportunity to win the title, Supercopa is not a motivation for us, but we have it and hope that the same result will not happen again with us,” Ter Stegen explained in his pre-match press conference.
“We were good until the 90th minute that day, but then we felt more tired. We will rest more tomorrow. It will be 100 per cent difficult game, but we will be ready.”
Barcelona don’t think about LaLiga
More than ever, the Blaugrana is heading into the match as favourites despite their recent poor record against the Basque club, and the Germany international feels it will be a much closer clash. “I think it is a 50/50 game, but if we do our job and keep the performance we had before the break, we have a perfect chance of winning,” added the goalkeeper. “We have to play the full game, it may be difficult, but we will not think about anything that comes after the final. We do not think about the LaLiga. Given the relatively diminished status of domestic cup competitions in all European football, Ter Stegen refutes the assumption that even winning on Saturday will not make up for a bad season.
“No, it is the final and does not depend on the LaLiga, and if we win, we will have an excellent feeling,” continued Ter Stegen. “If you lose, then obviously you have bad feelings. We know what we have ahead of us. We face 90 minutes to win a title.”