体坛英语新闻：Guardiola confirms Pinto's return at King's Cup final

MADRID, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday that Jose Pinto will play during the final of Wednesday's Copa del Rey against Real Madrid in Valencia.

Pinto, who is substitute to Victor Valdes in the La Liga and also in the Champions League, has played in all of the games of Barca's Cup campaign this season as he did in their 2009 Cup winning campaign and Guardiola gave him his backing to do so again.

"Tomorrow, it will be Pinto and 10 others. He has always played in the Cup and he will play tomorrow, as long as he is in condition to do so," said Guardiola.

"It would have been a lack of respect to him and the squad to do anything different, because there is no guarantee that we will win the final with Victor (Valdes) in goal. Pinto has always done well, he always plays well and it is important for us all to stay relaxed," said Guardiola.

The Barca coach also responded to questions over the fitness of captain, Carles Puyol, who was carried off the pitch during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Madrid with a hamstring problem.

Puyol has trained over the past days, but Guardiola was unwilling to say if he would be risked in the Cup final.

"He is OK with the injury and he has stood well, he had a muscle problem, but he will travel and then we will decide what to do," he said.

"I think it is going to be a Cup final where anything can happen. It is two great teams playing each other and they have great players. I hope it will be a festive atmosphere and that there are no problems. I hope the fans cheer on their team and respect their rivals," commented Guardiola.

Real Madrid played a defensive line-up with three central midfield players in Saturday's 1-1 draw in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Guardiola commented that he and his players had spent less time discussing their rival's tactics than they had in getting their own game right.

"We haven't spoken much about what they did. We know what they did, but they can play in another way and we have to be prepared. They have not played like that during the rest of the year. We have looked at their options, more from a point of view of what we have to do to win the final," assured Guardiola.