Barca eye return to the top in Cup final rehearsal
MADRID: Barcelona have the chance to go top of La Liga for the first time since October in a Copa del Rey final dress rehearsal when they visit Alaves.
Alaves edged out Celta Vigo on Wednesday to reach the final for the first time, whilst nineman Barca had to survive a second leg onslaught from Atletico Madrid in midweek to make a fourth straight final.
However, Barca’s quest for a second treble in three seasons faces more severe tests this week as a visit to Mendizorroza is followed by a Valentine’s Day trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the Champions League.
The champions trail Real Madrid by a point, who also have two games in hand, but, with Madrid not in action until later on Saturday at Osasuna, victory will take Barca top for a few hours at least for the first time since October 22.
Barca boss Luis Enrique has almost a fully-fit squad to choose from as Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta made their return from injury as secondhalf substitutes in midweek, whilst Neymar returns from suspension.
“We are delighted that Busquets and Iniesta have recovered,” said Barca’s Ivan Rakitic. 11:00pm; 1:15am (Sun); 8:45pm; Luis Suarez will miss the Spanish Cup final after picking up a two-match tournament ban for his sending off and subsequent refusal to go to the dressing rooms during the semifinal clash with Atletico. WADA expressed “alarm” after it emerged no binding drug testing has taken place in football by Spanish anti-doping authorities for nearly a year.
“The lack of testing in a country with one of the leading football leagues worldwide for a period of almost 12 months is alarming, and will do little to instill confidence in clean sport at a time when it is needed most,” WADA said in a statement.