Former Liverpool defender Javier Mascherano has expressed his joy over the recently-revealed Copa del Rey final fixture: Barcelona vs Real Madrid.
Barca reached the final of the 2010/11 Copa del Rey after defeating Almeria 8-0 on aggregate, while Real Madrid controversially beat Sevilla 3-0 on aggregate to get a huge opportunity to win their first trophy this season. Speaking to the press earlier today about his impatience toward the kick-off of this year’s second Clasico, Mascherano said:
“It is always great to qualify for a final, but because it is against Real Madrid, this will be magnified.
“A final against Madrid will be wonderful,” he added. “But there are many big games to play before this, and we have problems to deal with in other competitions.”
Barcelona face Atletico Madrid at the weekend in La Liga, and the Argentine has yet to underestimate their strength. He explained: “When a big team is hurt, they want to produce a great match against Barcelona.
“Any weekend, we could lose... We are not machines. But in the dressing room, I see no signs of any relaxation.”
“It is always great to qualify for a final, but because it is against Real Madrid, this will be magnified.
“A final against Madrid will be wonderful,” he added. “But there are many big games to play before this, and we have problems to deal with in other competitions.”
Barcelona face Atletico Madrid at the weekend in La Liga, and the Argentine has yet to underestimate their strength. He explained: “When a big team is hurt, they want to produce a great match against Barcelona.
“Any weekend, we could lose... We are not machines. But in the dressing room, I see no signs of any relaxation.”
