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Luis Enrique eyes Copa del Rey trophy after Barcelona reach final

Barcelona's coach Luis Enrique addresses a press conference at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester
Image: Luis Enrique: Wants Copa del Rey glory

Barcelona have reached the Copa del Rey final but head coach Luis Enrique will only be satisfied when his players lift the trophy.

After what has been a turbulent first season in charge for Enrique, Barca beat Villarreal 3-1 at El Madrigal stadium on Wednesday for a 6-2 aggregate victory to set up a final against Athletic Bilbao on May 30.

"We are going through a positive spell," Luis Enrique told his club's website.

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Barcelona were on the receiving end of two nasty Tomas Pina tackles during their Copa del Ray win over Villarreal.

"To play in the final is very nice but finals are there to be won.

"Barcelona have to win titles. Let's see if we can. I don't care where the final is played, the important thing is we are there."

Enrique, who replaced Tata Martino at the helm of Barca last summer, praised rivals Villarreal, who never gave up despite trailing 3-1 from the first leg.

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Marcelino believes that Luis Suarez is starting to adapt to life at Barcelona.

"They pressured us even after our first goal and they had two or three good chances in the first half besides their goal," Enrique added.

"Villarreal were in it until we made it 2-1. We knew it was going to be tough. Villarreal are one of the best teams in the league."

Barcelona star Neymar celebrates
Image: Neymar: On target again at Villarreal

Barca have won the cup a record 26 times but will face a stern test against an Athletic side that has also enjoyed plenty of success in this competition.

Athletic, who won 2-0 at Espanyol on Wednesday to reach the final, have lifted the title 23 times in their history.

Barca return to Primera Division action on Sunday when they host Rayo Vallecano. The Catalan outfit will be without Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets, who sustained a right ankle problem against Villarreal.

Busquets will undergo further tests on Thursday to confirm the extent of his injury.

"Busquets' injury is the only bad news," Enrique added. "We know he'll be out a few days; we'll see how many, though."

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