Barcelona’s Camp Nou has been chosen by the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) to host the final of the Spanish Cup due to be played between Luis Enrique’s side and Athletic Bilbao on 30th May.
The Spanish Cup final is preferably played at a neutral venue chosen by the competing teams, and both clubs wanted to play at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but the Madrid giants refused to host the final.
Apart from the Camp Nou, Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium, Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium and Valencia’s Mestalla were in the running to host the final, but after two rounds of voting Barcelona’s home ground came out trumps on the basis of it being the biggest stadium in Spain.
The game will be the first final since Deportivo La Coruna triumphed over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in 2002 in which a finalist will be playing on their home turf.
The Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Atheltic Bilbao is a repeat of the 2012 decider in which the Catalans won the mach 3-0 at the Vicente Calderon.
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Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao are historically two of the most successful teams in the Spanish Cup; the Catalans have won the trophy 26 times and are closely followed by the Basques who won the prestigious domestic trophy 23 times.
In the two league meetings between the two sides this season, Barcelona have triumphed 2-0 at home and 5-2 at the San Mames.
Following their stellar run since the turn of the year which has seen them sit atop La Liga, four points clear of nearest rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona will be strong favourites to secure their 27th Copa del Rey on 30th May.
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