nfb_10 Posted May 18, 2017 Posted May 18, 2017 Kick off at 8:30pm ( GMT+1) The Spanish Copa Del Rey final 2016-17 will be contested between Deportivo Alavés and FC Barcelona, and will be the final match at the Vicente Calderón stadium. Will Alavés cause a major upset and win their first Copa Del Rey title, or will Barcelona clinch their 29th title and send Luis Enrique off with a trophy?
nfb_10 Posted May 26, 2017 Author Posted May 26, 2017 Alaves are the surprise package of the season in La Liga and they will be quite difficult to break down defensively, so they aren't to be taken lightly. Not to mention we're missing Roberto and Suarez. However, Aleix Vidal may be an option in the second half to come on and provide width out on the right and stretch their defense. It's his first game back since getting injured against the same opposition four months ago, so I don't think he'll start, but he'll make a difference if called upon in the second half. And Paco is starting to look great, nearly scored in the Clasico whilst playing in an unfamiliar position, even. So I think we'll be fine in spite of those two absences. I expect since it will be our strongest available side playing, and no senseless rotations like when Alaves beat us earlier in the season, plus the drive and hunger to end the season with a piece of silverware and send Luis Enrique off on a high, will be enough to see us win here.
Hugh Jass Posted May 26, 2017 Posted May 26, 2017 Good luck to Alavés. In a match like this I will always the smaller Spanish club against either Barcelona or Real Madrid out of principle. What a story it would be if Alavés, with a squad that cost about 6 million euros to put together, were to stun Barcelona and their galaxy of superstars again (like they did in the Camp Nou in La Liga back in September), and win their first ever major trophy. Of course it won't happen, but a guy can dream.
Toony Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 Barcelona should cruise this. I don't follow Spanish football that much, who knocked Real Madrid out?
Hugh Jass Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 11 minutes ago, Spike said: Go Alaves, this means more to them than Barca. Agreed. If Barcelona win this, it will be a case of so what. If Alavés win it, it will be a huge underdog and fairytale story and the first ever trophy in their history (of course they lost that thrilling UEFA Cup final against Liverpool in 2001).
Hugh Jass Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 To highlight the financial gulf between these two teams, Barcelona's second choice goal-keeper Jasper Cillessen cost approximately twice as much money as the entire Alavés squad. Some of these smaller La Liga clubs with their limited financial resources (especially considering they are playing in what many people consider to be either the best or second best league in the world) really do punch above their weight that's for sure.
Hugh Jass Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 ***Unnecessary dig at Mourinho alert*** Win or lose today's match, Enrique is guaranteed to sign off from his 3 years at Barça with a better record in every single major competition than Mourinho had during his 3 years at Real Madrid.
SirBalon Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 3 minutes ago, Hugh Jass said: ***Unnecessary dig at Mourinho alert*** Win or lose today's match, Enrique is guaranteed to sign off from his 3 years at Barça with a better record in every single major competition than Mourinho had during his 3 years at Real Madrid. Before Mourinho departed from Real Madrid (one of his final games, can't remember which one to be honest) in a post match press conference (after recording the biggest points difference between Barça and Real in the history of the Spanish game) he reeled off all the greatest Real coaches of the past proclaiming himself as the greatest of them all. This is factual!
Administrator Stan Posted May 27, 2017 Administrator Posted May 27, 2017 nasty collision for Mascherano there. Probably concussed and twisted his knee as he landed, while out cold. ouch.
SirBalon Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 That was a proper skull cruncher! WOW! Looked nasty and very painful.
Administrator Stan Posted May 27, 2017 Administrator Posted May 27, 2017 hahah camera pans to some Alaves fans. you have one guy with his middle finger up and then others applauding Mascherano as he's stretchered off. the contrast
SirBalon Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 1 minute ago, Cannabis said: Anyone else see that melt in the Alaves end giving the middle finger to Javier? Everyone knows him in Vitória.... He's the city retard.
SirBalon Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 What's up with Alavés? What sport do they think they're playing at!!! I get that they have to be aggressive, but there are rules!
SirBalon Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 I'm not going to post anymore on this over aggressive stance from Alavés because I know there are football fans out there that would say that underdogs should have special allowances in these shady areas.
Administrator Stan Posted May 27, 2017 Administrator Posted May 27, 2017 wouldn't be surprised if there's maybe more than 1 red card in this. Alaves are playing dirty.
SirBalon Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 2 minutes ago, Cannabis said: This is reckless in the extreme from Alaves, there's only one side trying to play football here. They didn't play that way when they beat Barça at the Camp Nou in La Liga. It's unnecessary.
Administrator Stan Posted May 27, 2017 Administrator Posted May 27, 2017 wow! Gomes has a shot, hits the post and rolls across the line. Lucky escape for Barca.
Administrator Stan Posted May 27, 2017 Administrator Posted May 27, 2017 keeper has absolutely no chance that. 40+ goals in the last 8 seasons. More than some teams get
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