Buyo: "Based on squad potential, Real Madrid is the favourite"

Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2013 by Marca.com

"Everything was much more even 21 years ago when Real Madrid and Atlético played in the final", he said.

Buyo:

Paco Buyo, the former Real Madrid goalkeeper, assured today, Tuesday, that his old team is the "favourite" to win the Copa del Rey final against Atlético, based on "squad potential".

"Everything was much more even 21 years ago when Real Madrid and Atlético played in the final. There weren't such big differences between the two teams as there are now. Atlético was a real contender for the big competitions, and Spanish football and La Liga were a little more evenly-matched than they are now," he observed.

"If we look at this season, Real is probably the favourite based on squad potential, but finals are there to be played and won, because Atlético is really fired up," he went on to say.

Buyo justified the replacement of Casillas over the final stages of this season, given Diego López's excellent form. "As for Iker's situation, we could hardly expect it not to cause a massive stir. He is the best keeper or one of the best, but the circumstances are what they are and he suffered a bad injury. When he came back he was on form, but he came up against Diego López, who's on fire, and there's nothing strange about someone who's playing well keeping his place. He'll have to wait for his chance, but that's the law of football and I'm sure he'll play again," he said.

Buyo also said that the supposed quarrels between Mourinho and part of the dressing room will not affect the performance of the team in the final. "The dressing room is more united than ever. It's a good group and it will want to fight to win a title in the most important match of the year."