Copa del Rey 2012: Barcelona Will Mop Floor with Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao has no hope.

Barcelona is the superior football club and they’ll control the 2012 Copa del Rey final from start to finish. They’re focused and will not be denied the title.

According to ESPN Star, Gerard Pique is feeling the adrenaline pumping already going into the match. The defender said:

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I am just as excited as I was when I had just arrived back here. The cup final is always a huge motivator, There are things that make it a bit more special, but just because it’s a final we give it special treatment. It’s a great day of football both for the fans and the players.

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Barcelona won’t suffer a letdown.

Lionel Messi is unstoppable. In three out of his last four games, he’s scored multiple goals—nine in total, including four against Espanyol. Messi scored 50 La Liga goals this season. In comparison, Athletic’s top goal scorer Fernando Llorente had just 17 to his name.

The fact that Barcelona is on another level isn’t the only reason why they’ll roll. Messi and company are simply giving Athletic Bilbao more respect than they deserve, which will prevent them from being upset.

Barcelona recorded 28 wins this season compared to a measly 12 by Athletic. Seven places separated them in the standings. However, Pique still stressed the specific keys to a Copa del Rey victory.

He said (via ESPN Star):

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We have to make sure that the second touch is always ours, because he’ll [Llorente] certainly be fighting to get it. We have to be careful with set pieces and watch out for Susaeta and Muniain coming down the wings, and stop them from shooting.

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If Barcelona fail to secure the cup, it would be an absolute shocker. Expect nothing less than them to add to their 25 titles in the competition.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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