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Athletic Bilbao boss Bielsa stays out of Copa del Rey final debate
The Basques will meet Barcelona in the showpiece event and that is the cause of much concern as some fans from both sides booed the national anthem in the 2009 decider
Feb 11, 2012 2:40:00 AM
By Mark Doyle
Getty Images
Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa insists that he does mind where this year's Copa del Rey final is held.
There is a huge debate raging over whether the Santiago Bernabeu should host the tournament decider given it will be contested by Basque outfit Bilbao and Catalunya's Barcelona.
When the two sides met in the 2009 decider a portion of fans from both clubs booed the Spanish national anthem, sparking huge controversy. Bielsa, though, is reluctant to get involved in the affair.
"The [Spanish Football] Federation is the designated governing body and does not make sense for me to offer any opinion because we must accept what they decide," the Argentine is quoted as saying by Marca. "I have no predilections."
Bielsa also insisted that, as far as he is concerned, the RFEF can take as long as they need to decide on a suitable location for the final, insisting that while "logistical issues requiring additional time" would have to be taken into consideration, it "would not matter" to him or his players if they did not find out until "five days beforehand" where the game was going to be staged.
The former Argentina boss insisted he is just simply looking forward to facing Barca, admitting that it is a "dream" to the facing the Catalans in a final because of "what the club means, what they represent and the type of football they play."
For now, though, Bilbao must focus on their push for a Champions League place and up next for Los Leones is a trip to Betis on Saturday evening.
There is a huge debate raging over whether the Santiago Bernabeu should host the tournament decider given it will be contested by Basque outfit Bilbao and Catalunya's Barcelona.
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £85.00 | Draw £55.00 | Barcelona £12.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £95.00 | Draw £55.00 | Barcelona £12.90 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £90.00 | Draw £50.00 | Barcelona £13.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £90.00 | Draw £60.00 | Barcelona £12.90 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £87.00 | Draw £53.00 | Barcelona £12.50 |
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When the two sides met in the 2009 decider a portion of fans from both clubs booed the Spanish national anthem, sparking huge controversy. Bielsa, though, is reluctant to get involved in the affair.
"The [Spanish Football] Federation is the designated governing body and does not make sense for me to offer any opinion because we must accept what they decide," the Argentine is quoted as saying by Marca. "I have no predilections."
Bielsa also insisted that, as far as he is concerned, the RFEF can take as long as they need to decide on a suitable location for the final, insisting that while "logistical issues requiring additional time" would have to be taken into consideration, it "would not matter" to him or his players if they did not find out until "five days beforehand" where the game was going to be staged.
The former Argentina boss insisted he is just simply looking forward to facing Barca, admitting that it is a "dream" to the facing the Catalans in a final because of "what the club means, what they represent and the type of football they play."
For now, though, Bilbao must focus on their push for a Champions League place and up next for Los Leones is a trip to Betis on Saturday evening.
Starting in November and continuing through to the middle of February, Goal.com is publishing exclusive extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated new book, 'Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. The last extract looked at how Barca suffered rare disappointment at the hands of Real Madrid in a gripping finale to last season's Copa del Rey. Don't miss it!
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Athletic Bilbao - FC Barcelona
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