Barça want the final to be held at the Bernabéu

Personally speaking, I’d like all Copa del Rey finals to be held in Madrid, it’s the capital city and it’s conveniently located at the center of the country. The Bernabéu is currently the best stadium in the city until work is concluded on Atletico’s new ‘La Peineta’ development and presents many advantages. Even if Real Madrid were involved in a final, despite the team making few finals and failing to take advantage of the rare occasions when the final has been played at Bernabeu. On home turf, Madrid have lost seven finals: four against Atlético and one against Athletic, Barça and Depor respectively. They’ve only picked up two final wins at home with Sevilla and Castilla providing the opposition.

Due to the reasoning that a Bernabéu final would give an added advantage to Madrid (should they make a final and that is a rarity these days) and that Villar has been happy to use the final venue as a method of currying favour with regional federations, the venue for the Copa del Rey final has turned into a vulgar raffle. At times, hosting the final at the Calderon is a logistical solution, on other occasions; the decision is somewhat poorly improvised. Too many times, the decision doesn’t factor in key areas such as: capacity, travel practicalities and a sense of ritual that a Bernabéu final would offer.

What I don’t like is the perception that Barça use the Bernabéu as an element of discord. Some while ago they gave the impression that the most outrageous thing was to mock the Spanish national anthem and King at the Bernabéu, when these gestures are not welcome at any ground. I also object to the lack of subtlety and conditions that Florentino lays out before the Bernabeu can be considered as the final venue. The Bernabeu should be offered as this season’s final venue along with a message to ensure that Bartomeu controls his troupe.