Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona: Win Gives Barca Momentum for Next Season

Barcelona's 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final will be a great momentum-building beginning for Barcelona heading into next season.

2011-12 was disappointing in terms of two of the biggest competitions for Barcelona. They failed to win La Liga and they failed to win the UEFA Champions League.

Unacceptable.

Losing in those two defining leagues is unacceptable from the best team in the world. If you have the best collection of talent in the world, you dominate possession in every game you play and you create more chances, there is no reason why you couldn't at least split from those two leagues.

Especially when you have the best player in the world, Lionel Messi.

As a whole, Barcelona captured several crowns, so the year wasn't entirely a wash. However, when you're a team like this, people expect you to win the best leagues out there.

Barcelona failed to do that.

Nevertheless, winning the Copa del Rey is still a nice going way reward.

Their victory over Athletic Bilbao will be the starting point of great things to come. Winning a trophy like the Copa del Rey will remind their players just how great it is to be on top of a championship mountain.

They will regain their focus, their drive and their team chemistry.

Barcelona may have been quiet in major competitions this season, but things will be completely different next season. When things change, we will always remember when it all started—the Copa del Rey final.