Athletic Bilbao will face a daunting task in their latest Copa del Rey final quest, as they travel to an intimidating Nou Camp to contest La Liga champions Barcelona, who are vying for an incredible treble triumph this season, but a conjuring of Basque brilliance could see a Spanish upset.
Having wrapped up the Spanish league title ahead of rivals Real Madrid and last season’s victors Atletico Madrid, the Blaugrana will host Bilbao on home soil hoping to secure another piece of the potential treble puzzle, with a Champions League final clash with Juventus soon approaching.
Known as Los Leones, the San Mames outfit will need to show lion-like courage in order to topple Barca at their home gorund, as they aim to overturn an unfortunate Copa run which has seen them been unable to lift the trophy since 1984 (9/1 with Coral to win in 90 minutes).
Although, surprisingly, only their final opponents Barcelona have won this coveted competition more, with Bilbao earning 23 Copa coups to their final foes’ 26. Despite such a huge number of Copa trophies in the club’s cabinet, Bilbao have endured a 31-year wait to lift Spain’s most prestigious cup competition, but it’s a prolonged failure that could possibly come to an end if their star performers come to the fore at the Nou Camp.
It could be said that Bilbao’s rich heritage and unhampered tradition of blooding only Basque-based players into their ranks has somewhat had a negative effect on club ambitions, having faltered in mid-table for many La Liga seasons, but in the Copa del Rey their similar backgrounds have certainly caused a togetherness and understanding.
Bilbao’s form on the way to their first final outing since 2012; when they were interestingly toppled by Barcelona, ironically their opponents’ last Copa coup, has been a complete contrast to that of the Spanish champions.
Having wrapped up the Spanish league title ahead of rivals Real Madrid and last season’s victors Atletico Madrid, the Blaugrana will host Bilbao on home soil hoping to secure another piece of the potential treble puzzle, with a Champions League final clash with Juventus soon approaching.
Known as Los Leones, the San Mames outfit will need to show lion-like courage in order to topple Barca at their home gorund, as they aim to overturn an unfortunate Copa run which has seen them been unable to lift the trophy since 1984 (9/1 with Coral to win in 90 minutes).
Although, surprisingly, only their final opponents Barcelona have won this coveted competition more, with Bilbao earning 23 Copa coups to their final foes’ 26. Despite such a huge number of Copa trophies in the club’s cabinet, Bilbao have endured a 31-year wait to lift Spain’s most prestigious cup competition, but it’s a prolonged failure that could possibly come to an end if their star performers come to the fore at the Nou Camp.
It could be said that Bilbao’s rich heritage and unhampered tradition of blooding only Basque-based players into their ranks has somewhat had a negative effect on club ambitions, having faltered in mid-table for many La Liga seasons, but in the Copa del Rey their similar backgrounds have certainly caused a togetherness and understanding.
Bilbao’s form on the way to their first final outing since 2012; when they were interestingly toppled by Barcelona, ironically their opponents’ last Copa coup, has been a complete contrast to that of the Spanish champions.
