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In 1099, the dead body of Christian warrior El Cid was put on his horse Babieca, in order to raise the morale of the troops fighting against the Almoravids in the battle for Valencia.
On Wednesday Valencia will stage the final of the Spanish King’s Cup, between twin giants Barcelona and Real Madrid — and the role of El Cid will be played by veteran Barca captain Carles Puyol.
Last Wednesday was Puyol’s 33rd birthday. It was a sad occasion because it seemed that the rugged defender was going to miss the rest of the season with the tendinitis in his left knee that had kept him out since January.
However, true to form, Puyol made a miraculous recovery on Friday and insisted on being included in the Barca squad for the league match away to Real. He started the game and his very presence was inspirational for his teammates.
He limped off with a pulled muscle with 25 minutes left, with Barca winning 1-0. Without him, the defence sagged and Real managed to force a 1-1 draw.
On Sunday Puyol delighted his teammates and the Barca fans by saying that he would be fit for Wednesday’s cup final.
“I am delighted to be back in the team,” he said, “These last three months have been very hard for me.” Puyol added that “we are very optimistic (about Wednesday). A final is always attractive. It will be an intense game, between two of the best teams in the world.”
He refused to criticise the counter-attacking style employed by Real coach Jose Mourinho on Saturday: “They were very clear what they wanted: to play on the break. It is a very respectable way of playing. Every team plays the way that it wants to.” Saturday’s draw left Barca eight points ahead of Real in La Liga with just six games left, and well placed to clinch their third straight league title.
Wednesday’s final will be the second of four Clasicos within the space of 18 days. The Big Two will meet again in the semifinals of the Champions League.
Not since 1990 have Barca and Real met in the cup final. That final was also played in Valencia, with Barca winning 2-0. Barca last won the cup in 2009 — in Mestalla against Athletic Bilbao — Real have not won it since 1993
On Wednesday Valencia will stage the final of the Spanish King’s Cup, between twin giants Barcelona and Real Madrid — and the role of El Cid will be played by veteran Barca captain Carles Puyol.
Last Wednesday was Puyol’s 33rd birthday. It was a sad occasion because it seemed that the rugged defender was going to miss the rest of the season with the tendinitis in his left knee that had kept him out since January.
However, true to form, Puyol made a miraculous recovery on Friday and insisted on being included in the Barca squad for the league match away to Real. He started the game and his very presence was inspirational for his teammates.
He limped off with a pulled muscle with 25 minutes left, with Barca winning 1-0. Without him, the defence sagged and Real managed to force a 1-1 draw.
On Sunday Puyol delighted his teammates and the Barca fans by saying that he would be fit for Wednesday’s cup final.
“I am delighted to be back in the team,” he said, “These last three months have been very hard for me.” Puyol added that “we are very optimistic (about Wednesday). A final is always attractive. It will be an intense game, between two of the best teams in the world.”
He refused to criticise the counter-attacking style employed by Real coach Jose Mourinho on Saturday: “They were very clear what they wanted: to play on the break. It is a very respectable way of playing. Every team plays the way that it wants to.” Saturday’s draw left Barca eight points ahead of Real in La Liga with just six games left, and well placed to clinch their third straight league title.
Wednesday’s final will be the second of four Clasicos within the space of 18 days. The Big Two will meet again in the semifinals of the Champions League.
Not since 1990 have Barca and Real met in the cup final. That final was also played in Valencia, with Barca winning 2-0. Barca last won the cup in 2009 — in Mestalla against Athletic Bilbao — Real have not won it since 1993