体坛英语新闻：Pinto hopes to dedicate cup win to departing Guardiola

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 Eric Abidal.

Friday's Cup final against Athletic 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 has seen Barca win 13 trophies 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.