HAPPY: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique.

Barca seek winning end to Luis Enrique’s reign

Editorial

27. mai 2017

Football

Gerard Pique wants Barcelona to reward outgoing coach Luis Enrique with a ninth trophy of his three-year spell in charge in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Alaves.

Artikkelen fortsetter under annonsen

Victory would see Barca lift the Cup for the third straight season under Enrique, but unlike in the past two years it would be Barca’s only major silverware of the campaign.

The Catalans missed out on La Liga to Real Madrid last weekend and were dumped out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Juventus.

And Pique wants his boss to go out as a winner in the last ever competitive game at Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon stadium.

«He is one of the best coaches in the history of the club,» said the defender.

«He deserves a great final. The best way to leave would be on a high with a trophy and tomorrow is a good opportunity.

«I want him to leave as a winner.»

However, Enrique himself warned against the threat posed by Alaves as the Basques played a huge role in costing Barca the league with a shock 2-1 win at the Camp Nou back in September.

«I have the chance to end my cycle with Barca with another title, but we are facing without doubt the revelation of La Liga this season.»

Indeed, on a night of goodbyes at the Calderon, Mauricio Pellegrino could also be taking charge of Alaves for the final time with plenty of clubs eyeing the Argentine’s services.

As well as taking Alaves to their first Copa del Rey final, Pellegrino’s men finished ninth on their return to the Spanish top flight after a decade in the lower leagues.

«I am very thankful to these boys for the work they have put in,» said Pellegrino.

«There is not one of our players that doesn’t deserve to play the final.»

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