Pinto hopes to dedicate cup win to departing Guardiola
英语课
MADRID, May 21 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto this Monday said he wants to dedicate victory in the Copa del Rey to coach Pep Guardiola and to defender 1 Eric Abidal.
Friday's Cup final against Athletic 2 Club Bilbao will be the last game in which Guardiola coaches Barca, after announcing last month that he was leaving for a year's sabbatical after four years in the dugout.
Guardiola's four-year reign 3 has seen Barca win 13 trophies 4 and Pinto, who has been first choice in the Copa del Rey, wants to make it 14.
"It will be a bit sad for us as it is his last game, so we will try to win so that the sadness can be turned into happiness and make it happy farewell. We are preparing the game with high hopes and we are all looking forward to the moment.
Pinto has recovered from an ankle problem which saw him miss the last game of the season, but other players such as Carles Puyol, who recently had a knee operation and Abidal, who is recovering from a liver transplant, will not be able to play.
"I feel fine and will be in perfect shape, but it is a shame that we will not be able to count on some companions, who are out of the game. We have always been able to overcome obstacles up to now," assured Pinto, who is not taking Athletic Club lightly.
The Basque side are playing their second final of the season after reaching the final of the Europa League, and after losing that game to Atletico Madrid, Pinto expects them to be highly motivated.
"Athletic have improved a lot and are very competitive. They pressure hard and the coach (Marcelo Bielsa) is the man responsible for that. It is going to be a very competitive final," he assured.
n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人
- He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
- The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。
adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的
- This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
- He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。
n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势
- The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
- The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。
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