Alex was sitting in the luxury box of the stadium where Barca was playing the final of the 2021 copa del Rey against Athletic club Bilbao, together with him was president of Athletic club together with board members of both the two football clubs, ready to witness the spectacle of a game that's about to go down.
The Barca players know they've got to win to show the new board they deserve to stay in the team next season and the coaches know they've got to prove they're winners despite knowing their fates hang in the balance, the head coach Mr Ronald Koeman lined the players up in a 3-4-3 formation with Stegen between the post, Mingueza, Pique and Lenglet in the defence,with Dest, De jong, Busquets,Pedri in the midfield, while the attack is of Messi, Greizmann and Alba.
Stegen-Mingueza-Pique-Lenglet-Dest-De jong-Busquets-Pedri-Messi-Greizmann-Alba while athletic club featured an Xi of Unai Simon in the goal, defence of Demarcus,Yeray,Martinez,Balenciaga, a midfield of Berenguar, William,Muniain,Lopez,Garcia while the lone striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation is R. Garcia with Marcelino Garcia Toral as their head coach.
Once Alex saw the first XI of the two teams he altimmate knew how the games result was in his past life, Alex was sceptical if maybe his appearance has affected the games outcome so he made a decision of meeting the players in the dressing room to boost their morale to avoid a loss in his first game visiting as the President of Fc Barcelona, Alex to the players " I know there was no prior news of me being in here with you before the game, but I made the decision with one thing on my mind which is WINNING. At Fc Barcelona we're not just playing to win but at the same time do that while playing beautifully, while being dominant, while being real about who our opponents are regardless of the team, we're in this position to challenge for this trophy because of your hard work, because of your resilience through out the season, can you remember your game against Granada and Sevilla, where even you were doubting your chances of progressing to the finals but you still did it, because your passionate, you're fighters and because your represent this crest on your chests, because you're Fc Barcelona and Fc Barcelona is you.
So I'll plead with your to Believe, to realize the board, the fans, the world is behind you even if you don't think you're capable, go out there today with the belief your winners and play like winners too. I've done and said the best I could to you as you're all professionals more than even me and the whole board when it comes to actually playing in the pitch. So I'll say do your part in the pitch and we'll do our part to back you up as the board", thanks senor Koeman said Alex as he leaves the players thinking on what he said to them.
He didn't go far when he heard the charismatic voice of Messi telling the players to not think of disappointing the fans and the board as he's sure every one of the players would give his best and that's all h ask for from them on the pitch.
Alex arrived back at the presidential box of the stadium when he heard the Athletic president asking if his where about "I went to relive myself said Alex" which proved to settle the case, immediately they sat down they saw the players filing out onto the pitch with each Barca players bearing a very serious and focused looking face which transmitted to the board members who knew where Alex was earlier. After the pitch side pleasantries and the final preps from the referee teams the match kicked off with the blow of the witsel from the referee.
Barca made a good start with Frankie hitting the post in the first 5 minutes as the blaugrana showed real intent to attack and score early on. Barca had almost all the posssesion in the first half almost being a one sided game, at halftime Barca had all of the possession but only one real chance to score while athletic had for the 45 minutes defended while hoping to catch Barca off with rapid counters.
In the second half Barca came out like a battering ram demolishing athletics defences and creating chances after chances, it seemed like Barca's goal was just a matter of time.
It came when in the span of 12 minutes Barca scored 4 wonderful goals which Unai Simon couldn't do nothing about, Griezmann scored from a frenkie cross, followed by de jong himself scoring a header from a Korda Alba cross. Followed by Lionel Messi's two goals the first being after a wonderful one-two with dejong, then the second from a jordi Alba assist.
Witsel was blown to signify Barca triumph in the cup final which has added a copa trophy to Barca's trophy room, Alex was ecstatic cos he didn't lose the final and can now say he's started his tenure with a major trophy in Spanish football, equivalent to the Fa Cup in England and the DFB Pokal Trophy in German football.