Basques Bilbao invade Barcelona for Copa del Rey final showdown

Basque club Athletic Bilbao will be aiming to thwart Spanish champions Barcelona’s attempts to clinch a historic treble this season when both teams collide in the Copa del Rey final at the Nou Camp.

Contesting Luis Enrique’s Blaugrana on their home turf will be a tough task for Bilbao, having been thrashed 5-2 by the La Liga champions last February in a league meeting, but the San Mames outfit did manage to overcome their opposition narrowly last season with a 1-0 home triumph.

The Nou Camp visitors are 9/1 with Coral to come away with a Copa del Rey victory in 90 minutes, while Barcelona are 4/1 to win by four or more goals in normal time, as their ferocious forward line continues to score at will.

Treble hunting Barcelona wrapped up a superb La Liga victory before this Copa clash and, also have a Champions League final against Juventus to look forward to, but midfielder turned defender Javier Mascherano claims his teammates aren’t already gazing ahead to their European outing.

“Athletic is an excellent team and will make it very complicated,” stated the Argentine.

“Maintaining the culture of Athletic in global football makes them a special club. It’s very interesting that, despite the limitations, they continue to be so competitive.

“They deserve all my gratitude for maintaining the philosophy beyond results.”