The Copa del Rey lineups are in, and there are no major surprises from either Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao. Both sides have gone with as strong a lineup as they have available, and this should be a fantastic match to see who wins the trophy.
Luis Suarez rejoins Barcelona attack in Copa del Rey final
Barcelona’s elite front line is at full strength again as they prepare to face Athletic Bilbao to try and win the Copa del Rey.
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Barcelona are getting a big boost with the return of Luis Suarez, out recently with a hamstring problem that had Barca fans worried. With him back, their side is back to its absolute top strength, just in time to hopefully win the Copa and set themselves up for a chance at a treble in the Champions League final next weekend.
For Athletic, their lineup isn’t quite as good as it could be, but with two key players injured in Iker Muniain and Ander Iturraspe, and a member of their defensive rotation suspended, this is as good as they can manage. Based on who’s in the lineup, it looks like they’ve gone with a more defensive outlook than normal, trying to keep Barcelona out of the game for as long as possible while they find any opening they can to get a goal of their own.
Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3): Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta; Neymar, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi
Athletic Bilbao starting lineup (4-3-3): Iago Herrerin; Unai Bustinza, Xabier Etxeita, Aymeric Laporte, Mikel Balenziaga; Mikel San Jose, Beñat Etxebarria, Mikel Rico; Andoni Iraola, Iñaki Williams, Aritz Aduriz
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