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Barca trim Valencia, battle Bilbao for “Copa” title

Comment: 0 February 9th, 2012 by: admin

WHEN Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas are in their best element, Barcelona are hard to beat.

The Argentine striker did not score but supplied a huge assist, while the former Arsenal ace found the back of the net and issued another nifty feed as Barca tamed Valencia 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.

Messi’s long lob pass to Fabregas in the 15^th minute sent Barca ahead at Camp Nou. Fabregas collected the assist and superbly chipped over Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves.

And with the visitors reduced to 10 men after Sofiane Feghouli got his second booking, Fabregas found an opening to set up Xavi Hernandez for the clincher in the 81^st.

Barca advanced with a 3-1 aggregate and will now face Bilbao for the trophy on May 25. Bilbao dumped Mirandes 6-2 on Tuesday to progress via an 8-3 total.

In a match pitting two of the most successful sides in the tournament, Barca wil try to add another to their collection of 25 trophies thus far, while Bilbao are bent to avenge their 2009 final loss to the Catalans and at the same time notch their 24^th crown.

Barca boss Pep Guardiola said the coming final will dignify the competition. “It’s a final between two teams with most tradition in the cup, and I believe it will be a fascinating game.”

Beaten by arch rivals Real Madrid for the trophy last season, Barca are heading to their third final in four seasons under Guardiola.

Guardiola added they are very happy to be in the final again, adding: “And for those who thought my players were tired or complacent from so much winning, I insist, reaching three finals in four years has a lot of merit.”

The return of Xavi and Alexis Sanchez to the starting 11, as well as Andres Iniesta’s appearance on the bench lifted Barca’s spirit all the more.

And even though Pedro Rodriguez and Sergio Busquets did not see action due to injuries, Isaac Cuenca and Thiago Alcantara ably filled the void.

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