Athletic Bilbao, renowned as one of the most successful teams in Copa del Rey history, seeks to overcome their final jinx as they face Real Mallorca at La Cartuja in Seville on Saturday.
Despite their illustrious past, Athletic Bilbao has suffered defeat in each of their last six final appearances, a streak they are determined to break under the guidance of coach Ernesto Valverde.
Fuelled by the attacking prowess of brothers Inaki and Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao enters the final as firm favorites. However, they must navigate past the resilient underdog spirit embodied by Real Mallorca, led by coach Javier Aguirre.
While Athletic Bilbao boasts a rich history in the Copa del Rey, with 23 titles to their name, their last triumph dates back to 1984. In contrast, Real Mallorca, with just one cup victory in 2003, approaches the final with a hunger to upset the odds in only their fourth appearance.
Athletic Bilbao’s recent finals have been marred by heartbreak, including back-to-back defeats in 2021 against bitter rivals Real Sociedad and Barcelona. Inaki Williams acknowledges the significance of playing in front of their supporters this time, expressing the team’s commitment to delivering a victory.
Despite the weight of past disappointments, Williams asserts that Athletic Bilbao cannot afford to fear another loss. Bolstered by their strong season and notable victories en route to the final, including triumphs against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao enters the final with confidence.
The return of Nico Williams from injury adds further depth to Athletic Bilbao’s squad, complementing the contributions of players like Alex Berenguer. Mallorca, however, remains undeterred, with striker Vedat Muriqi highlighting the pressure on Athletic Bilbao as favorites.
Real Mallorca, guided by the experienced Javier Aguirre, presents a formidable challenge, relying on their physical strike partnership and Aguirre’s tactical acumen to upset Athletic Bilbao’s dominance.
As the stage is set for an enthralling encounter, Athletic Bilbao endeavors to overcome their final demons, while Real Mallorca seeks to etch their name in Copa del Rey history with a memorable upset.
