Barcelona endure final suspensions for first time since 2009



Barcelona will take part in the Copa del Rey final on the last weekend of May, for the fourth consecutive season and their seventh in nine seasons.
Since 2009, the only Copa finals which didn't involve the Blaugrana were the 2010 and 2013 editions of the competition. In 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2016 they lifted the trophy, while coming up short in 2011 and 2014, against Real Madrid on both occasions.
Barcelona have become a club accustomed to contesting major finals both at home and around the globe and do so with a full squad to choose from, in general, on each occasion.
On May 27 though, they will face either Celta or Alaves without the services of both Sergi Roberto and Luis Suarez, both of whom will be serving suspensions.
The club will analyse both cases carefully before considering any potential appeal but already appear to be resigned to losing the duo for the showpiece encounter.
They haven't had to deal with losing such important players for a final since the 2009 Champions League final against Manchester United, when they were without both full-backs Dani Alves and Eric Abidal, after suspensions were picked up against Chelsea in the semi-final.
For the final in Rome, Pep Guardiola replaced them by utilising Carles Puyol on the right and Sylvinho on the left flank.
That same year, Barcelona contested the Copa del Rey final at the Estadio Mestalla against Athletic Club with Guardiola having almost a full squad to choose form, aside from Martin Caceres after his red card in the semi-final against Mallorca but that wasn't felt as badly given that the Uruguayan was not a regular starter.
Credit must to go Lionel Messi, Samuel Umtiti and Jordi Alba who were all a booking away from joining Suarez and Sergi Roberto on the suspended list.
Despite the dangers, they were risked against Atletico Madrid, with the French defender not committing a single foul as he helped his side through.

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