Madrid, April 16 (IANS) They may have crashed out of the Champions League quarter-finals a week ago and said almost goodbye to their chances of lifting the La Liga last weekend, but FC Barcelona coach Tata Martino is confident his side can defeat Real Madrid to win the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona go into the Wednesday night game with injuries in defence, an out of form Lionel Messi, who is without a goal in their last two matches, but Martino said they have every chance of winning the final at the Mestalla Stadium, reports Xinhua.
“If we play well, we will win. It is a title and we are in the final so we have to win,” said Martino, adding that in order to do that his side would have to correct the mistakes they have made in recent matches.
When asked about Messi, Martino said that all players have to contribute to help Barcelona improve.
Midfielder Andres Iniesta also spoke about the club’s recent disappointments.
“When you lose, it hurts you but you pick yourself up and you get on with it. We are the first to criticise ourselves and it hurts when we fail. What is left is to try and do things well and that is our obligation and what is asked of us. The one thing that can never be missing is our full effort,” said Iniesta.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti saw his side outplayed by Barcelona a month ago but now goes into the final as favourites, despite the absence of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo.
“We lose a player who is in incredible form. But on other occasions when he has not been with us, his absence has made us run more and be more together. There is no lack of motivation and the team is going to play well,” said Ancelotti, who confirmed that he had already decided his starting 11.
