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Joan Laporta: Barcelona Players Deserve A Party For Copa del Rey Success
Barcelona's players deserve a warm welcome home after winning the first trophy of what could be a memorable treble.
May 14, 2009 5:15:15 AM
Marca
Joan Laporta could not hide his delight after Barcelona's Copa del Rey victory against Athletic Club de Bilbao and stated that the players deserve to celebrate with the fans.
After the club's supporters partied into the night in Valencia and across Catalunya, the Blaugrana president is expecting a lively homecoming on Thursday when the squad fly back.
The 4-1 win saw Barca come back from going behind early on and Laporta was thrilled that the fans saw them win the cup in the style that they have played in all season.
“The team deserve Thursday to be a party day in Barcelona when we return,” he is quoted as saying by the club's official website.
“We have touched glory and we now have won the cup 25 times and I am thrilled for all Barca supporters and especially for the younger generations that have never seen us win it.
“It’s fantastic. We remained loyal to our way of understanding football as managed by Pep Guardiola and it was executed by all the players like an art form.
"I congratulate them all from number one through to the very last, including Txiki Begiristain.”
Laporta was also very pleased with the way that the two sets of supporters integrated throughout Mestalla and believes that it made the final an historic occasion.
“I said that Barca and Athletic Club are both of major social importance in our countries and if we are something, it is that we are a public expression … both sets of supporters were exemplary,” he enthused.
"I want to praise and congratulate the Basque fans, worthy finalists. They have made this a historic final.
“The players deserve a fiesta in Barcelona when we get back. We will be leaving Valencia at noon, and will be arriving around one o’clock.”
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
After the club's supporters partied into the night in Valencia and across Catalunya, the Blaugrana president is expecting a lively homecoming on Thursday when the squad fly back.
The 4-1 win saw Barca come back from going behind early on and Laporta was thrilled that the fans saw them win the cup in the style that they have played in all season.
“The team deserve Thursday to be a party day in Barcelona when we return,” he is quoted as saying by the club's official website.
“We have touched glory and we now have won the cup 25 times and I am thrilled for all Barca supporters and especially for the younger generations that have never seen us win it.
“It’s fantastic. We remained loyal to our way of understanding football as managed by Pep Guardiola and it was executed by all the players like an art form.
"I congratulate them all from number one through to the very last, including Txiki Begiristain.”
Laporta was also very pleased with the way that the two sets of supporters integrated throughout Mestalla and believes that it made the final an historic occasion.
“I said that Barca and Athletic Club are both of major social importance in our countries and if we are something, it is that we are a public expression … both sets of supporters were exemplary,” he enthused.
"I want to praise and congratulate the Basque fans, worthy finalists. They have made this a historic final.
“The players deserve a fiesta in Barcelona when we get back. We will be leaving Valencia at noon, and will be arriving around one o’clock.”
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
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