Ernesto Valverde has revealed that he would like Real Madrid to host the Copa del Rey final between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona on May 30.
Los Blancos are understood to be against the idea of overseeing the match due to their deep-rooted rivalry with the Catalans and both finalists’ political allegiances, but the Coach is keen to move the conversation back to football and see the match played at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"Many people love to talk about many things [referring to the furore], but they forget football’s just a game,” he said at a Press conference ahead of Almeria in La Liga on Saturday.
“It seems there are more important things to the game [than the football itself]. We should forget about all these [other] issues, which sometimes distract you before a match.
“Those who speak about these issues are more political than football people. I have many preferences [over who should host the final].
“However, I’d like it to be Madrid because it’s a historical site, which is fit for two historical teams like Barcelona and Athletic, both of whom have played in many finals before.
“I want us to reach 42 points as soon as possible and then secure as many points as we can [in order to achieve seventh place, which would secure European football next season].
“[Saturday’s match against Almeria is] an opportunity for us to string five straight League wins together. [Once that’s achieved], we’ll think about getting our sixth [straight win].
“I’m not thinking about [the Copa del Rey final] because I don’t know how we’ll get to that point just yet.”
