Andrés Iniesta is fit again, on form and convinced that the team is improving. “The cup final is an added bonus and I am sure we will get better”, he said.
In the first move
against Mallorca, Iniesta almost decided the tie, following an impressive
winding run. “It felt great, ten days without playing have been a long time”, he told a
press conference. But he was also proud of the team’s performance. “We are very happy
to be in the final and to have met one of our objectives. The celebrations after the game were a
bit unusual”.
Final put aside until May
Reaching the final also brings a sense of calm to the squad.
“We have come within a game of the final in two seasons, and getting there brings us some
peace of mind. We have done well to get there, but now we can leave the cup aside until May
13”, explained Iniesta.
Team play
Asked to describe the game, he merely said “on the day of the
final, nobody will remember how we played against Mallorca”. Neither is he overly concerned
that the run without a win for Barça has now been stretched to five games. “Champion teams
always go through periods like this, and it’s at the end of the season that we’ll know
whether we are champions or not. I think we will be. The squad is confident of that”.
Iniesta also feels that against Athletic Club on Saturday, they have a valuable chance to get
things back onto the winning track.
Athletic, an uncomforting rival
He went on to speak in more detail about that game. “Athletic are an uncomforting,
difficult side to play. We have to win all three points at home and just worry about our own game.
But Athletic did take Sevilla apart on Wednesday, although we didn’t see the game.”
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“A spectacular final”
Asked about the cup final, between Barça and Athletic Club at Mestalla, Iniesta said the game
“will be very similar to a Champions League final, but with its differences. It will be a
spectacular final, between the two teams that have won the most Copa del Rey titles.” It will
be a special day for Iniesta, because it will be his first appearance in the final.