Barca to restore pride

> Catalan giant wants double deposit in Spanish Cup final against Sevilla

BARCELONA are aiming to restore the pride lost after their quarterfinal Champions League exit when they face Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final tomorrow.

The Catalans, who have won the trophy a record 29 times, face Vincenzo Montella’s unpredictable Andalusians with a point to prove after Roma eliminated them from European competition earlier in April.

Flying high in La Liga, 12 points clear of Atletico with five games to play, Barcelona have all but wrapped up the Spanish title and can effectively seal a double if they beat Sevilla.

Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-0 in the 2015-16 final at Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon stadium and this match takes place in the capital club’s new home, the Wanda Metropolitano. Ernesto Valverde’s side have gone 40 games without defeat in league action but find themselves in shaky form, having been crushed 3-0 by Roma and drawn 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Tuesday.

“We need two victories (to win La Liga) so we’ll see if we can get them,” said Valverde. “Now, however, we have to focus on tomorrow as we have a tough game.”

Barcelona are favourites to win the trophy, however, Sevilla are out to cause an upset and have proven themselves difficult to judge.

Elsewhere in Spain there is a programme of La Liga fixtures, although third-place Real Madrid are not in action as they were due to face Sevilla.

Atletico Madrid can cut the gap on Barcelona further if they beat Real Betis on Sunday, although the Andalusians have proven a surprise package this season.

Betis, fifth, are aiming to secure a Europa League spot and have won their last five games, scoring 10 and conceding just two.

The weekend’s other fixtures are Leganes vs Deportivo, Las Palmas vs Alaves, Athletic Bilbao vs Levante, Malaga vs Real Sociedad, Eibar vs Getafe, Celta Vigo vs Valencia and Girona v Espanyol. – dpa