Barcelona will vie for the second of three possible titles this season when it hosts Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey on Saturday.
In his first season in charge, head coach luis Enrique has guided Barcelona to the Spanish league title, and can now add two more major titles, if they beat Bilbao and then Juventus a week later in the Champions league final on June 6.
The Copa del Rey final is pitting the two teams with the most titles in competition history against each other.
Bilbao, which has won 23 cups despite only fielding players born in the Basque Country or neighboring northern provinces, will be looking to avenge losses to Barcelona in the 2009 and 2012 finals when the Catalan club took its record tally to 26 titles.
BARCA’S BIG 3
Bilbao’s mission is as clear as it is daunting: Stop Barcelona’s big three.
lionel Messi, Neymar and luis Suarez have scored a combined 117 goals in all competitions this season.
Neymar leads Barcelona in the cup with six goals, and the Brazil striker scored three times in Barcelona’s two wins over Bilbao in the league.
Messi will be looking to score in his third straight cup final against Bilbao and add to his 56 goals in all competitions this season.
Suarez is expected back after missing the last two league matches after injuring a muscle in his left leg.
Bilbao will get a boost with defenders Aymeric laporte and Xabi Etxeita also returning to training after recovering from injuries.
FOND FAREWEllSIJ
Xavi Hernandez will have the chance to play his last match at Camp Nou and add to his Barcelona club milestone of 765 appearances.
Barcelona already gave Xavi a sending-off tribute after the Spanish league finale when he lifted his record 23rd trophy for the club.