The most successful manager in Barcelona's history improved his own record by winning the 2011-12 Copa Del rey title. This was the 14th title under Guardiola for FC Barcelona and was a great parting gift to the manager. Two goals from Pedro and one from Messi in the first half sealed the title for Barca, This was Barcelona's fourth trophy of teh season having won both Super Cup and Fifa World Cup in this year. Xavi Hernandez lifted the trophy after a lot of convincing from Puyol. Guardiola lined up with Pedro, Messi, Sanchez, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Adriano, Mascherano, Pique, Montoya and Pinto for his last match as Barca manager. Biesla went with a starting line up of LLorente, Muniain, Susaeta, Ekiza, De Marcos, Ibai, Aurtenetxe, Amorebieta, Martinez, Iraola and Iraizoz.
Lionel Messi had the first shot of the match in the 26th second when he missed fractionally wide off the far post. In the 2nd minute Pedro's shot was deflected wide for a corner by Martinez. But Pedro gave us the lead from the resulting corner. Atletic failed to clear the corner which was flicked by Pique, and it fell to Pedro who scored without much fuss. In the 15th minute Messi received a pass from Xavi, cut inside and tried to curl the ball into the far corner but Iraizos made a fine save. In the 20th minute Lionel Messi made it 2-0 when he brilliantly finished from a through ball from Iniesta. In the 25th minute Pedro scored his second of the night after Xavi laid the ball into his path. At 3-0 the game was virtually over, but Bilbao wasn't going to go down without a fight. In the 26th miute Pinto has to make a diving save to deny Suesaeta. In the 27th minute Llorente turned brilliantly in the box and went down under a tug of shirt by Pique, we were lucky as the penalty wasn't awarded. In the 44th minute Pinto had to make a crucial save to stop a Munain shot at his near post.
In the 52nd minute Bilbao still showed that the game was far from over, Herrera played a through ball from teh centre of the pitch putting Gomez through, but he tried to be a little bit fanciful lofting the ball over an advancing Pinto but wide off the post. In the 71st minute Messi set in a great run into the box, but Iraiola was able to make the save to deny Messi. In the 70th minute Keita was brought in for Sanchez. In the 78th minute Bilbao had yet another chance to one goal back, but once again they fluffed the finish. In the 80th minute Guardiola brought in Cesc Fabregas for Xavi hernandez. In the 86th minute Thiago came in for Pedro who scored twice on the night.
The game was dead the moment we went 3-0 ahead in the first half. From there on we stepped down the tempo a bit as expected and saw through without any much preoblem. This match was all about giving Pep Guardiola a great sign off and the team showed the hunger in the first half. It was great to see Pedro grabbing the goals, we definitely missed his goals throughout this season. And it's time for him to return back to what he do the best. The rest of players did their part really well. At the end of a golden era which gave us 14 trophies we say thank you to Guardiola, and hope the era under Tito is as brilliant as this one.
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