Barca captain Puyol fit to face Real in Cup final
BARCELONA, April 19 – Barcelona captain Carles Puyol did not train today but tests confirmed he is fit to face Real Madrid in tomorrow’s King’s Cup final in Valencia (1930 GMT), the La Liga leaders said.
The Spain central defender (picture) had not played since January 22 before Saturday’s 1-1 La Liga draw at Real, when he was substituted as a precaution after feeling a twinge in a thigh muscle.
“In the end, it was confirmed that the (Barca) captain will be available for (coach) Josep Guardiola,” the club said on their website (http://www.fcbarcelona.cat).
Tomorrow’s Cup final, the first time Barca and Real have met in the title match of the competition since 1990, is the second of four meetings between the arch rivals in three competitions in 18 days.
They are due to meet in the two-legged Champions League semi-final on April 27 at the Bernabeu in Madrid and May 3 at the Nou Camp in the Catalan capital.
Fullback Adriano, who complained of a muscle problem after the Real game, was also included in the squad for the trip to Valencia, Barca said. – Reuters
