Barca want Bernabeu for Copa final?

Barcelona have reportedly requested the Santiago Bernabeu to play host to this season’s Copa del Rey final.

According to AS, La Blaugrana have already begun making plans for the final following their 7-0 first-leg demolition of Valencia in the semi-finals and “will not relent” in their demands for Real Madrid to stage the match.

A Catalan source told the newspaper: “As always, we want the stadium with the biggest capacity in order to facilitate the movement of the growing number of fans.”

The Bernabeu has been touted as the ideal venue due to his location in the heart of Spain, which allow both finalists to meet halfway, providing Barca and Sevilla see out their last-four ties, and its 90,000 capacity.

Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon and Valencia’s Mestalla have been put forward as alternative venues, although Celta will reportedly make it clear that they will contest the latter due to Barca’s journey time being half of theirs.

Los Blancos are understood to have told the Spanish Football Federation last week that they have no intention of hosting the game, but Barca want to pressure their arch-rivals into being drawn on a debate over the reasons behind their stance.

Barca, who played host to their own final against Athletic Bilbao last season, are also refusing to make their demands public as a sign of respect to Valencia.

The game will be played on May 21 or 22, depending on whether Sevilla reach both the Copa and Europa League final.

Tags Santiago Bernabeu
La Liga - Club News