Can the disappointment of not being able to lift the La Liga title or even the UEFA Champions League trophy be lessened if Lionel Messi and Co. win the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) on Saturday, May 27? That definitely remains to be seen.
According to Barca's standards, the 2016-17 season has remained a major disappointment. The exit of manager Luis Enrique is a testament to that fact, anyway. Ernesto Valverde's possibly replaces Enrique in the summer.
FC Barcelona are massive favourites going into the Copa del Rey final against the little-known Alaves football club.
The biggest news for Barca ahead of this match is the return to fitness for Aleix Vidal after a long ankle injury. Hotshot striker Luis Suarez is suspended for the final, along with Sergi Roberto, while Rafinha and Mathieu still remain injured.
The presence of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Gerard Pique, veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta and so on anyway gives Barcelona that star attraction. To be honest, Alaves, who finished ninth in the La Liga this season, has no chance at all to win on Saturday.
Expected starting XI
Barcelona: Cillessen; Mascherano, Pique, Umtiti; Rakitic, Busquets, Gomes, Iniesta; Messi, Alcacer, Neymar.
Alaves: Pacheco; Kiko, Alexis, Feddal, Garcia; Krsticic, Llorente; Camarasa, Manu, Ibai; Santos.
Match schedule
- Date: May 27
- Time: 7:30 pm GMT (1 am IST [Sunday])
- Venue: Vicente Calderon, Madrid
Where to watch live
| Country | TV channel(s) | Live stream |
| UK | Sky Sports 2/HD, Now TV | Sky Go |
| USA | ESPN 3 | Watch ESPN |
| SPAIN | TeleCinco Espana |
Radio commentary: Radio Barca
