Iniesta Focused On Winning the Copa Del Rey

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta expects his side to put their on and off-field troubles behind and focus on beating Real Madrid to clinch the Copa Del Rey on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Spaniard admits a large part of the Catalans’ ongoing campaign hangs on beating Real in the Spanish Cup final in Valencia.

“The team is able to play well and win” Iniesta said during a media briefing ahead of Wednesday’s Cup ‘El Clasico’ at the Mestalla. “It would be a huge joy for our supporters. We only have thoughts of winning the trophy.”

Andres Iniesta Wants to Win the Copa del Rey.
Andres Iniesta Wants to Win the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona has endured a difficult season which culminated in a 14-month transfer ban, handed them by the world football’s governing body for signing minors, against which they have said they will appeal.

The Nou Camp outfit could now add the Copa del Rey to the Spanish Super Cup it won earlier in the year, having being eliminated from the Champions League by
Atletico Madrid and with hopes for a La Liga title defence hanging in the balance, following the 1-0 loss to Granada over the weekend.

They trail leaders Atletico by four points with five more matches to the end of the season.

“The cup has always been important. It’s a trophy” he added. “The big demands of recent years have made it seem more important than ever, but I wouldn’t say that just because we win the cup we can say that we’ve saved the season.”

Real Madrid will be without winger Cristiano Ronaldo due to a muscle injury, but Iniesta believes the ‘Los Blancos’s’ mentality will always remain the same, regardless of the Portuguese’s availability.

“Madrid’s general idea won’t change without Ronaldo. We know about their virtues, we understand their potential. But at the end of the day, what really matters is that we perform well,” Iniesta said.

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