Barça defeats Athletic for 25th domestic cup
Güncelleme Tarihi:
The Associated Press
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 15, 2009 00:00
VALENCIA, Spain - Barcelona rallied for a 4-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao for its record 25th Copa del Rey title on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi's 57th-minute winner was followed by Bojan Krkic and Xavi Hernandez sealing a deserved win that put the Catalans on course to become the first Spanish club to win three trophies in a season. Barcelona's first domestic cup triumph since 1998 also snapped a trophy drought since a league-Champions League double in 2006.
Captain Carles Puyol received the trophy from King Juan Carlos before leading his teammates to a handful of laps around Mestalla Stadium, to the applause of both sets of fans.
"It's not a question of having liberated ourselves," coach Pep Guardiola said of the pressure on Barcelona to match its spectacular play with titles. "We played a good game. It's a great day."
Guardiola also refused to take praise for guiding the club to a trophy in his rookie season. "The team is on course, on course for something important. It's their football."
Athletic, which reached the final for the first time in 24 years, couldn't keep up with the Catalans as Barcelona showed why it is on the verge of winning the league and will play Manchester United in the Champions League final.
"We came here to win but we came up against the best team in the world," Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros said.
Athletic had managed to suffocate Messi and the Catalans' midfield early, and open through Toquero, who headed Fran Yeste's corner past Jose Manuel Pinto at the far post.
"We knew that the Basques would be physical, that they were very strong," Guardiola said. "Above all we knew that we were going to be facing a very aggressive team so it was important to get the ball out quick, to avoid contact and not let them suffocate us."
Captain Carles Puyol received the trophy from King Juan Carlos before leading his teammates to a handful of laps around Mestalla Stadium, to the applause of both sets of fans.
"It's not a question of having liberated ourselves," coach Pep Guardiola said of the pressure on Barcelona to match its spectacular play with titles. "We played a good game. It's a great day."
Guardiola also refused to take praise for guiding the club to a trophy in his rookie season. "The team is on course, on course for something important. It's their football."
Athletic, which reached the final for the first time in 24 years, couldn't keep up with the Catalans as Barcelona showed why it is on the verge of winning the league and will play Manchester United in the Champions League final.
"We came here to win but we came up against the best team in the world," Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros said.
Athletic had managed to suffocate Messi and the Catalans' midfield early, and open through Toquero, who headed Fran Yeste's corner past Jose Manuel Pinto at the far post.
"We knew that the Basques would be physical, that they were very strong," Guardiola said. "Above all we knew that we were going to be facing a very aggressive team so it was important to get the ball out quick, to avoid contact and not let them suffocate us."