Bartra fit for Barca, Bale leads Madrid attack

Bartra fit for Barca, Bale leads Madrid attack

Barcelona were handed a late boost ahead of their clash with Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final as defender Marc Bartra was declared fit to start.

Barcelona's defender Marc Bartra takes part in a training session at the FC Barcelona Sports Center Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on October 18, 2013

The 23-year-old was a major doubt due to a hamstring injury but he and club captain Carles Puyol were given the all-clear by the club's medical staff an hour before kick-off with Puyol taking his place on the bench.

Bartra's availability means that coach Gerardo Martino names the same side that were eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid last Wednesday.

Real lined up as expected in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo so Gareth Bale took the Portuguese's place on the left side of the attack alongside Karim Benzema and Angel di Maria.

Starting line ups:

Barcelona (4-3-3): Jose Manuel Pinto; Dani Alves, Javier Mascherano, Marc Bartra, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Xavi (capt), Andres Iniesta; Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Iker Casillas; Fabio Coentrao, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal; Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric, Isco; Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Angel di Maria

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT