FC Barcelona concludes its season this Saturday with hopes of sweetening the end after a painful defeat in the Champions League final in Lisbon against Arsenal (1-0). They have the chance to finish the season on a high note by winning the Copa de la Reina, with the final set to be played in Huesca against Atlético de Madrid at 19:00 (La2, TV3).
Coach Pere Romeu’s team heads into this match two weeks after falling short in Europe, with a national team break hampering final preparations and impacting the squad negatively. Fridolina Rolfö, who started in Lisbon, suffered an injury during Sweden’s friendly against Denmark and will be unable to participate, adding to the absence of Kika Nazareth.
The Barça side aims for their second consecutive domestic treble while also seeking their eleventh Copa de la Reina. To achieve this, they must overcome a determined Atlético team, which seeks to exploit any cracks to achieve a surprise victory. On paper, Barcelona holds the advantage, having previously faced Atlético three times this season with a remarkable aggregate score of 12-0. However, the nature of cup finals can lead to unexpected outcomes, which Atlético players hope to capitalize on given their ample time to prepare compared to Barça’s tight training schedule.
Following the challenging loss in the Champions League final, morale within the group was affected, yet the coach emphasized that a season’s worth can’t be judged by a single match. Now, the focus is on competing for their eleventh Copa de la Reina, which could allow them to conclude what has been a notable season despite the setback in Lisbon.
The atmosphere in Huesca is expected to be electrifying, with El Alcoraz Stadium, which holds just over 9,000 spectators, anticipated to be at full capacity. Supporters from both Barça and Atlético will make the journey, despite the uneven distances, facilitating fan movement. Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, along with vice president Elena Fort and executives Xavi Puig, Xavier Barbany, and Sisco Pujol, will also be present. The celebration surrounding the Copa de la Reina final often begins early, with dedicated fans showing up hours in advance.
This match represents the last national title available this season, offering a chance for glory and historical significance for Atlético de Madrid. Conversely, failure for Barça could be a harsh reality, while a victorious conclusion would affirm their dominance in Spanish football. The final outcome will be revealed tonight, ideally by around nine o’clock if extra time is not needed.
As the two teams prepare to clash, both sides will be looking to leave an indelible mark on the season, with Barça keen to rebound from recent disappointment and Atlético eager to seize their moment.